Popular Approval

"Let us look for the beaming smile of our Master's approval!"

Sometimes you just can't help resist running with the crowd. There lies in most of us a desire to impress and compare ourselves to others. Thankfully the dearest friends we have accept us for who we are, but how about the need to impress those we work for; what we've accomplished and the rewards we will get? Or how about in regards to our own passions and desires; do we believe we need the approval of man to fulfill our dreams and desires? Do we thirst for and crave the riches, fame, and even the beauty of others? Until we can truly accept and value ourselves, we will continue to look to others for our sense of value and approval.

Galatians 6:4-5 clearly instructs us:

"Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct."

We need to accept; with child-like faith, that we are loved simply because we exist and know that God’s view of us is so much more important than the world’s view of us. Being prettier, smarter, stronger, or more successful does not guarantee happiness, and isn't true happiness what we all strive for? I believe that everyone searches for popular approval and true happiness, but we are not looking in the right place! God designed us as unique individuals, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't please Him when other's opinions matter more to us than His! It is His opinion that matters most.

"Whatever we are doing let us not be looking for man's approval, but let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus."

Our appearance or “stuff” in life doesn’t reveal what we are really like inside, or what our true value is. God never asks us to compare ourselves to others; He desires us to place our uniqueness and integrity entirely in Him. He doesn't judge by appearances or riches, but rather by our faith and character.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (l Samuel 16:7)

Don't wait for someone else's approval; do what God wired you to do! And when you do your very best, you'll feel good about the results. God has a calling on our lives and we are responsible for fulfilling that call. We don't need anyone's approval or reassurance to do what God calls us to do. We are His chosen individuals with a whole lot of distinctive gifts and talents that God wants us to share and use for His benefit and on behalf of Him. When we follow through and act according to His will, then we'll be popular with God, and He'll approve! 

"Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 Message)