We have all had those moments…frozen in fear, wondering…“What will they think of me?”
So many of the decisions we make on a day-to-day basis revolve around what we want others to think of us. We question ourselves and dread the judgement that might come our way.
Basically, we live in fear of how others perceive us. Add to that a big serving of comparison, and our plate is full.
We worry about what our friends will think of our parenting skills, our relationship choices, or our thoughts on politics. We invest time into planning conversations in our minds before we gather with those we deem important in our lives, so that we make sure all the bases are covered.
We live our lives with the hopes of being accepted by and pleasing to others. We long for that sense of acceptance and importance and thrive on that validation.
Even in our service to God, we want to make sure we are doing and saying the right things so that others see us as a “good Christian”. When we pray in front of a crowd, we worry about saying all the right words to sound eloquent, focused on those who are listening, instead of focusing on our conversation with Jesus.
Do we pass the test? Are we good enough?
What if we stripped all that away…all the fear, anxiety, dread, doubt, and worry? What if we just set our sights on pleasing God?
What would happen if our service was an act of worship instead of an act being worshipped?
What if our goal was the GOSPEL instead of the GLORY?
The apostle Paul spelled it out so simply in Galatians 1:10…
“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
After his transformation, Paul lived a life devoted to God. His passion was his service to God. His desire was to honor, glorify, and please God. His eyes were fixed on nothing other than bringing that glorious Light to as many as possible.
And while our heart may be to imitate Paul, our humanity sometimes makes that a difficult task. There is also a light that is found in approval from others. A light that casts a glow of acceptance and feelings of worthiness into our beings and helps us feel the warmth of belonging.
This is an artificial light. One that will flicker and fade as time passes. It is the light of human approval, and it can’t possibly compare with the shining rays of God’s pleasure and unfathomable grace.
We are called to “be a light” in this world. It is up to us which light we choose.
We can choose the light that allows us to feel safe and satisfied with making sure others like us, think we are smart, and think we have it “all together.”
Or we can choose the Light that radiates love, grace, hope, and promise. This Light causes us to admit our shortcomings and proclaim that we are nothing without its radiance. This Light sees into our heart instead of the persona we create to feel accepted. This Light reflects to others that perfection is not possible, no matter how hard we try.
Ask yourself this question…Who is your audience?
Are you living your life for the audience of many…the family, friends, and even strangers who pass you on the street? Are you living for their approval? Their acceptance of your thoughts and actions?
And what about those thoughts and actions? Are they praiseworthy? Are they edifying?
Or are you living your life for an audience of One? Are you living to bring glory, honor, and praise to Him? Are your works a reflection of His love?
We all get the freedom to choose our audience. We decide where our validation and confidence come from. It is our choice how we walk through this life…bold and confident in Christ, or insecure and looking for affirmation from others.
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Who will you serve today? Whose approval will you seek out today? Where will your hope and confidence come from?
So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
Betty Predmore
