This verse makes an extremely strong statement. It’s reminiscent of Jesus’ bold declaration that no one can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). We just are incapable of doing so. We’ll either “love the one and hate the other,’ or vice versa. Such intense wording!
We cannot serve Mammon and the Lord simultaneously. Likewise, neither can we dedicate ourselves to people-pleasing, and pleasing God, simultaneously. If we are positioning our hearts and lives in the pursuit of human approval, we are going in the opposite direction than that of serving the Lord. We can’t do both. Attempting to do so would give us a perpetual whiplash, or something far worse.
Holy Spirit calls out to us through the ages, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Josh. 24:25). If we truly want to serve Jesus, we are going to need to wean ourselves off of the “need” for human praise. In my experience, this weaning process takes way longer than weaning my babies off of breastmilk ever did.
You and I know how human it is to seek out the praise of others. Even from childhood, we would call to our parents, “Look at me! Look at me!” as we managed some feat on the playground. We hungered for their approval and applause.
The trouble became, when we grew up and moved well into adulthood, still depending on human approbation to feel good about ourselves. I have found that the Lord will address this in each serious seeker of Him. He takes us through a process of development where He trains us to be wholly dependent on Him. This includes utter dependency on His praise alone. This very well may translate into long seasons of our lives in which we feel like we are invisible. During these prolonged periods, it may seem like no one is seeing, appreciating, our valuing our contributions.
No one, that is, except Him. Him alone. Our audience of One.
If you are in a season like that, the One who loves you more than His own life has a beautiful and powerful purpose for it. He wants to teach you to receive encouragement and recognition from Him. He wants to instruct you in leaning deeply into His unchanging, unconditional approval of you. He is your safe place. He is the One cheering crazy loud for you from the bleachers. He is the One who thinks you are absolutely amazing.
Going through the training, shaping period, to get you to the place where that praise from Him is what fuels you every day… may be an extremely challenging chapter of your life. But you will never, ever regret it.
What absolute freedom it is to live for the audience of One, and for Him alone!
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Have you been through a season of training like this? If so, do you have any words of wisdom to share about what you learned, or what helped you through it?
Feeding On Jesus 
Awesome post, Indeed God’s approval not men’s approval is what we need.
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Yes! The only kind that truly satisfies and steadies us!
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I am going through such a time right now – so this post really spoke to me. Only tip I have: pray every day that God will help me comport myself in a way that glorifies Him as I go through this difficult learning. I don’t enjoy being taken for granted by people around me, or treated by other people as though I’m invisible. It makes me cranky and grouchy, and I react in ways that I don’t want to, before I can contain myself. I pray every day for His help in becoming the person He expects me to be.
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Joining you in prayer—may He help us become the person He designed us to be.
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Do Your precious work in our hearts Lord Jesus!
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Thank you for sharing this transparently, that reflects childlike humility that I know pleases our heavenly Father in a very special way. He is so proud of you! And so am I. I am saying a prayer for you right now, for fresh grace, strength, and encouragement from His heart to you for this season. You are so loved!
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This post made me think of the time when I helped organize a speaking engagement for a well-known speaker on a university campus. After the event, the speaker complained to us that the room was only three-quarters full. It said a lot about what the speaker was focused on—the numbers and ego, not the people who did show up. Thanks for this insightful post.
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Wow, yes, that is a sad commentary on what mattered to that person the most. May our loving Father continue to purify our hearts to long for His approval exclusively!
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“…the One who loves you more than His own life has a beautiful and powerful purpose for it” A love beyond words…
BT
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YES it is! Fills my heart with awe… Thank you BT.
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I used to think becoming an adult would mean escaping peer pressure. Oh my, was that ever wishful thinking. I can’t help but think the need for approval from peers is behind much of the tribalism and polarization our society is facing right now.
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That is very insightful and right on, Debi Sue. Thank you for sharing it.
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These moments in our lives, define CLEARLY the motivation behind our actions and our sacrifices….if not one is watching, seeing, applauding, or even saying thank you, – are we discouraged? Are we quitting and giving up ok that day or hour and then resuming at another hour that is more likely we will be noticed?
This clarity, is needed. For ourselves. To really see- hey, I’m doing this for Christ. I’m doing this for God. He is my reward. The fact that i have this opportunity to give, FREELY, no payment or money involved, I’m doing this freely for God, because all my life He has freely given me each day of life, every blessing, every good thing, He is a non stop flow of continued blessings. Praise His name, forever!
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Well said, my brother, well said!
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Brings preaching to mind for me. There can be a difference between what people want to hear, and what they need to hear. If I only concentrate on the former, I’m not doing the job as well as it needs to be done.
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Excellent illustration of this principle. How important to sound a clear trumpet call, rather than what itching ears want to hear to feel comfortable!
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i agree dear Jennifer. I Have been beseiged by an army of people who have come across my books on line etc. Many want to re-publish to make HEAPS of money. They do not understand that what HE inspired was given freely to me. I have no desire to have a goal for success or money. All I have ever written is ;out there. ‘ I may receive a trickle to help us in our later years but it is God Who must be the FOCUS in all I have ever written. God will supply our ongoing needs.
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Yes and AMEN, I believe that with all my heart for you, my beloved sister and cherished daughter of Jesus!
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