You've been approved...

September 22, 2009

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10, NIV

Wow, my readership has gone up a smidge since my last post.

I have to admit, the "gem" of a comment rattled me a little at first. Brad saw it before me, and said, "Uh oh, somebody's slamming you." So, when I read it I was prepared for what was to come, but I hadn't had the experience of someone, not only disagreeing with me, but insulting me and my intelligence at the same time on my blog before.

I am not afraid of her opinion. She's certainly entitled to it. Besides, if I were insecure, I'd have deleted it before anyone else had read it :) .

But here's the thing, readers.

I don't write to please you.

Hate to break it to you, but it's true. Early on I was told a very wise thing while I was a bit discouraged about my very small number of readers (normal when you first start a blog!). This advice has stuck: write for yourself. It's what keeps me writing. Whether you read it or not. (I am glad when you do, but I might not always say things you'll like.)

In the verse I posted up above, Paul talks about seeking people's approval. In the verse, he states that from whom you seek your approval is to whom you are a servant. I know I am freaking a few readers out right now who think they're not a servant to anything or anyone. Again, I hate to break it to you, but we're all a servant to something. Something or someone masters you, whether you'd like to admit it or not. When you try to seek the approval of people, Paul says, you're not serving Christ. You bow down to them, instead of God.

Look at what people-pleasing approval-seeking gets you. Think of the number of bad decisions in your life made in the name of "fitting in" or "avoiding conflict." Oh, I can think of so many-- and that's just high school. Some of these choices were downright dangerous, and had huge consequences. Truly, I think of some of those things I sought before I knew God, and I consider it only by the grace of God to be alive. One time, I risked my very life to avoid my friends' disappointment in me! How nuts is that?! But it happens to people all the time to various degrees.

The catch with seeking people's approval is that it doesn't last. You keep having to seek it again and again. See where the servant thing goes? Again and again you have to keep serving them, keeping them happy, and your approval rating up. Their approval becomes an idol, and you can't serve idols and God at the same time. Think of just how it is when you stop caring what people think! When you dance like no one's watching.... isn't that better?

I don't want you to think either, that God needs his ego puffed up all the time, and needs me to do it. He's omniscent, and He already knows He's God. He doesn't seek my approval. But I am to seek His. And do you know why? Oddly enough, it's for my freedom.

You might be puzzled by just how being a servant (the NASB uses the word bondslave) gives you freedom. Slavery=freedom? Yes. When you put yourself under God's care, you entrust yourself to Someone who loves you unconditionally. Someone who has plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future. Someone who has loved you before you loved Him and thought about you before the foundation of the world. He approves of you! I think that's a pretty good gig. When you follow Him, it's only for good. And God is pleased when we do choose His way, because it's good.

When I write, I write for myself, to record the wondrous things He's done for me in my life--the polkadots He's given me through his manifold wisdom and grace, in the manifold ways they've appeared. I do that to say, "Gee, thanks, God, that's amazing what You've done for me." And in the hopes that my readers will begin to see polkadots in their lives too. (though, if you're seeing spots, maybe see a doctor.)

And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15