Whose approval are you seeking?

12
Sep

Galatians‬ ‭1:10‬ – “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

In some way or the other, we are all trying to please somebody else in our lives. We grow up wanting to please our parents, teachers and friends. Even as adults we need to please people in our families and workplaces if we want to live in peace and move ahead. We want to know that someone approves of our work, that what we’ve done is worthwhile.

Although we do need to abide by the standards that our authorities have set, we don’t have to strive to seek their approval in everything. When we do our best and strive to live godly lives, our work will speak for itself. We don’t have to try to please everyone we come across.

Paul is very clear that as a servant of Christ, he needs to please God alone. It is God’s approval that we need to seek, not man’s. No matter how many accolades people around give us, they all fade when we hear our Heavenly Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In our day to day lives, let us give up the act of people pleasing and strive to please God in everything we think, say or do. And those around us will see our good works, and glorify God who is at work in us.