Approval Seeker...?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Approval Seeker…? Okay, it’s time for some honest confession this morning. This past weekend we took some of our Victory students to the Arkansas Youth Conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. One of the emcees opened up at one point and shared that he has battled the need for approval for years. He shared that for far too long he has based his self worth and has measured his success upon the amount of approval he got from others. He admitted that his view of himself hinged on whether or not people like him. I admire him a great deal for admitting that.
Hearing those words come from his mouth brought conviction to my heart. After all, you see, I find myself in the same boat. For years, though I haven’t said this, I have practiced it internally. I have found myself working tirelessly for the approval of people. I have caught myself jumping through hoop after hoop just to make sure people liked me and approved of the way I did things. I’ve got to tell you – this is exhausting.
The sad truth is that you absolutely will not please everyone every time. If you are living for that approval as I have been for far too long, when you realize that not everyone is pleased, it bothers you. And then if you ever find yourself in a situation where many of those around you that you may have considered at one time “close friends” aren’t approving of you, it’s depressing and heartbreaking. There are very few “lows” that are quite as low as that, I can assure you.
Ministry can be a hectic life at times. Even with a well managed schedule that forces you to figure in time to unwind and relax (very, very necessary elements), you will still find yourself running ragged at different points along the journey. And it’s in those moments that striving for the approval of people will completely wear you out. You have enough to concern you with the many responsibilities that are before you as it relates to faithfully serving the Lord in this role He’s blessed you with in life. The added weight of making sure people like the way you’re doing it is too much – it will break you eventually.
Until you reach the moment – the decision point – when the truth comes home to stay that you don’t live for the approval of people, but only of God. The simple fact is that through Christ Jesus, God has already approved of us if we’ve accepted His free gift of eternal salvation through what Jesus did on Calvary. That doesn’t mean everything we do is pleasing to Him or in the center of His will. I can still make terrible choices that hurt Him. But when I’m living for an audience of One that isn’t fickle and unstable in His approval as so many people are that I once tried to please, there’s such a peace that passes over my heart.
So today, who are you living for? If it’s anyone but Him, you’re headed for a breakdown in the future. Been there, done that. Would you give it all to Him today, and ask Him to steer your focus onto the One who longs to be the prize you’re aiming for? Would you lay down your feelings of necessary approval from people, and start living solely for the One who loves you more anyway? And then, when it’s all said and done, more folks will know Him and love Him because you’ve been living for Him instead of chasing the wave of popular opinion.



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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