photo by: Christa Kimbal
I was sitting with my brother, a few days ago now. Out of the blue he said something related to the conversation and it felt harsh. My response was, “Are you ridiculing me?” I wasn’t sure what to feel. His face never shifted and he said these words: “If that’s how you’re taking it.”
I was stunned. I had just been to a friend’s home where she told me the story of honor her husbands’ family had placed upon him as a child. There was just one thing his father disapproved of. He made it known every day, but every day his son chuckled and rejoiced in who he was, secure, loved.
When I heard that I thought, wow … it would have bothered me. I would have felt rejected. I would have felt my parents didn’t approve of me and I would have changed my ways for the sake of peace.
I told my brother this story and when it came right down to it I looked at him and said with a jaw drop, “I WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SEEK MY PARENTS APPROVAL!”
The truth hit hard and deep. To be honest I’m still reeling a bit. I’ve spent my life seeking the approval of my parents and their friends, of people I respect … of PEOPLE! It is a dangerous place to walk.
Let me tell you what it has done for me. I have forgotten who I am. I have desired what others want for me instead of what God has given me to do. I have set aside the things of God for the things of man. I have looked love in the face and felt shame. I have been held captive by my own perceptions of how others view me. I have been a puppet. I have been.
And so, as he does sometimes so tactfully he look at me and shrugged. It was his yes you’re right shrug. And then he said this: YOU’RE ALREADY APPROVED! A wave of joy rushed over me. I AM approved.
Well, you say, Jesus had favor with people … yes! Favor. There is a difference between increasing in favor and seeking approval. One has root in relationship with God and grows naturally like a vine. The other is manipulated and coaxed, out of order and death to the whole body.
It’s painful to be brutally honest with ourselves … to be brutally honest with God. If we are trying to please people we are not slaves of Christ. I want so to be in the latter category.
We ARE approved. We are not meant to seek the approval of men. Whose approval do you seek?
Gal. 1:10 “Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, 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!“