The Young man went on day after day, remembering meeting the man that wore faith, in such a way that all could see. He remembered seeing his life unfold, and how his faith poured onto people without even saying a word at times. See the young man was starting to see that maybe it is not all about being the loudest, being the most recognized. Maybe, just maybe it was when he lived his faith in a way that others were encouraged, but not simply because it was him, but the virtues in his life. Virtues that came out in his interactions with his family, his friends, and all those he came in contact with. See the young man wanted so desperately to be that man of faith, he wanted to be all those people he saw in his life as spiritual giants. The fact is he would never become what they were, he may never author a book, preach to 50,000 people, much less have a Sunday School classroom named after him. See the young man had to come to grips that even if no one recognized who he was in life, even if no one gives him an award, then that is OK. If the reward or recognition is what the young man was seeking, then once he received these earthly items that would be the fullness of his reward.
The young man began to think to himself, "What is my motivation to be like these others, anyone other than Christ lacks in example? Why do I try and attain a certain level of faith?" In this, the young man although puzzled, felt a sense of accomplishment. He now saw that his focus was not on growing his faith, or his relationship with God. It was motivated by impressing those around him, looking for the next "At-A-Boy". He was seeking the very thing Jesus told him not to seek....the applause of man.
So the young man knelt and asked God something very simple, "Show me your ways, speak into my heart, and be my guide. For with you I have everything, and anything I seek other than you is fruitless."