God appreciates His church. Our identity is not to be wrapped up in what others think of us, but rather who we are in Christ as His workmanship. Is it enough for you to know that God knows you and your service to Him, and that He appreciates you? When you live out of the identity that you have an audience of one -- that God loves and appreciates everything you do in His name -- you will enjoy a freedom to love and appreciate others as you have been appreciated. What matters most is what God thinks of you. Jesus' appreciation for His church -- those who are in Christ -- is not grounded in anything we do. It is grounded solely in the fact that God loves us.

As believers, we are to follow Jesus' example and appreciate one another on the basis of Christ's love. Appreciated people exchange grumbling for praying, competing for celebrating, bitterness for thanksgiving, performing for serving, and boasting for encouraging.