Day 26 – Issue 16

Be Still Know

Galatians 1:10a NLT

‘Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.’

I’ve talked before about my own deep-felt need for acceptance and approval. It is sycophantic and expects praise and personal advancement. Why I emerged from childhood with what I see as a defective characteristic, I don’t know. Yet it has inhibited my ability to take action for myself, yet more sickeningly delayed a deeper encounter with God.

There is perhaps an immediate gratification available from seeking human approval. This is expressed in clear terms and feeds the ego while creating a public reputation. How many of the stars we see or leaders we follow would make it beyond their own street were it not for the media’s ability to blow air into their sails? Now on the basis of public recognition individuals write books, host game shows and make music regardless of talent. We all see far greater talent in those who neither seek nor demand such public affirmation.

For many years my own relationship with God was circumscribed by my need to secure the approval of others. Only as I dived ever deeper into the confusion of Katey’s MS did I discover that God was more than capable of revealing his truth if I would make the time and effort to seek it. Suddenly it wasn’t maintaining a rear-guard action in shoring up a systematic belief system that mattered. It was developing a friendship with the God of all creation and substance of that belief.

QUESTION: Is it human approval or God’s approval you finding yourself wanting most?

PRAYER: Thank you, Father, that I have your approval and acceptance through your Son, Jesus. Help me live with that freedom.