10
Approval
Tim Savage10Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1
This is a good reminder for me this morning. By nature, I’m a people pleaser and I guess, by extension, a God pleaser. Nothing wrong with that, it’s good to want to please others. The problem comes when I try to please others, instead of pleasing God or when what I do to please others runs contrary to what is pleasing to God; it’s when I try to please man, instead of God. I am guilty of trying to win the approval of others by conveniently being quiet about my beliefs and my faith. Facebook, twitter and social media are war zones between conservatives and liberals, red and blue, pro-Trump and anti-Trump, my agenda, your agenda, us and them. It’s always easier to keep my mouth shut rather than stand up for what is right, but am I just doing that to avoid the conflict and gain approval, or at least to avoid the disapproval of man?
I want to be a man of integrity who is the same no matter who I’m standing in front of. I don’t want people to be surprised when they hear that I’m a Christian, my life should be an example of a follower of Christ and those around me should know that I believe in Him. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s another to live it out in an increasingly hostile environment of our changing society. People are angry! People are demonstrating and screaming and showing their frustration; they’re using mean-looking emojis and typing in ALL CAPS! I must remember that I am not here to avoid conflict and be everyone’s best friend. Their approval isn’t the goal, God’s approval is. Am I doing everything for Him and His approval? I must care more about pleasing my Creator than anything else.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me when I’ve desired the applause of men over You. I want to always remember that no one else’s opinion matters, that no one else’s approval is important. I love You Lord and want only to please You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
