Who’s approval matters more to you? While looking for content to go with this graphic, I stumbled upon the article Whose Approval Do You Crave? by Joseph Scheumann, on desiringGod. org. Reading it gave me goosebumps and I had to stop to say –
“Thank you, Lord, I get it.”
At the time of this writing, our website has been “live” for a little over one month. It has been an exciting yet stressful month, to say the least. Our main objective for having this site has been to serve God. And while I’ve prayed daily “Lord, please help us to remember we are doing this for Your glory, not ours” it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of. (Anyone with a website or blog can attest that Google Analytics can be both a blessing and a curse!)
So, while looking for something of value for our readers, I stumbled upon something which I really needed to read – I love how God works in our lives!
Excerpt from the article:
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:16)
No, the condition of man’s heart hasn’t changed; there are just new ways, with every new app and social medium, for man’s desire for praise to express itself in public. No longer is the reach of our actions simply relegated to the street corner. Instead, in today’s world, the simplest of YouTube videos can make you famous.
I especially found this helpful to me at this time:
Only Jesus is the living water. Only in him will we never thirst. Only when we crave Christ and the approval of the God-man will our bondage for the craving of mere human approval be broken. The Spirit helps us in our weakness and enables us to do the impossible: to say no to ungodliness and to open our eyes to see the glory of God in the face of Christ.
When Christ is supreme, we can handle our fellow man’s approval — or lack thereof — the right way. Then we can say with Paul,
- Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (Philippians 4:11–12)
But being satisfied with all we are in Christ doesn’t mean we should be embarrassed or even shy about being influential. Rather, just the opposite. We should seek to increase our influence, as long as it is focused on showing the worth of God in Christ, not self. Jesus put it this way: “Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Jesus commands us that we should bring others to see the glory of God through our actions. This doesn’t mean that we should seek to be known for ourselves, or lay claim to our fifteen minutes of fame, but we should steward the relationships and opportunities God has given us — especially in the seemingly mundane — in ways that give glory to God. And we should seek to cultivate new relationships and opportunities so that others might “see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
When we’ve stared the question in the face — whose approval do you crave? — and done the serious heartwork of renouncing self and exalting Christ, we are free. Free from condemnation (Romans 8:1), free to be fully satisfied in Christ (Psalm 16:11), and free to wield whatever influence we have, however big or small, for the good of our neighbor and the glory of God.
I encourage you to read the full article Whose Approval Do You Crave?
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