Today’s verse: Galatians 1:10 (NRSV)
“Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
One of the hardest lessons to teach our children is to not worry about what others think of them. I feel what makes it so hard to teach this to others is that most of us don’t have a handle on it ourselves. We face our days fearing judgement and criticism. Will people like our hair, clothes, or what we have to say.
Take a minute and think about how different your morning would be if the question you asked for everything that you did is, would this be pleasing to God.
In the world around us today we are bombarded with the perfect. Perfect houses, lives, clothes, bodies, meals….on and on. Most people show their perfect happy sides on Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram. Ads for cosmetic surgery for just about any body part you might have are everywhere. The sad truth of the matter is that in some ways we do need to fit in, to conform and adapt to the environment in which we live. We must wear specific clothes or look and act in specific ways for our jobs and to be a part of the society in which we live. But, only to a certain point.
One key here is to let go of the “want” and the “if onlys” stop the comparisons and focus on ways to reduce insecurities. If only I had firmer arms, or I have got to get a Marc Jacobs dot organza pleated skirt for church. (one of the top fashion choices for 2019) etc. According to the Psalms 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, why can’t we all focus on that and live a wonderfully fulfilled life? God loves us, gray hair, and wrinkles included.
Another key is judgement. Us judging others, in order to lift ourselves up, and the fear of others judging us. Try to understand when and why we judge is the first step in moving past doing it.
Let go of seeking out the “IN” crowd or cool kids. Be thankful for the people, things and life that you do have. Try not judging others, so that you can let go of the fear of being judged.
Seek only God’s approval. Live your life in the way that God intended. Make the daily choice to lift up who you were made to be – a beautiful, fulfilled beloved child of God. Be a servant of Christ and dance like nobody but God is watching.
Peace