Approval

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. Galatians 1:10

I recall one snowy winter day when Rusty was out shoveling the driveway, Benjamin, who was 2 at the time, thought it would be a good idea to help his dad shovel the snow wearing only boots, a warm winter hat and his underwear!  As Rusty chuckled in the driveway, a neighbor soon walked by with a look of disgust on her face.  Feeling a touch embarrassed that his young son was out in freezing weather in his underwear, he made light to the neighbor, “Boys will be boys” and “once he gets an idea in his head”.  She obviously disagreed, responding with a snappy “well you’re the parent!”  A seemingly humorous moment suddenly made him feel judged as an irresponsible parent!

As humans, it is so easy to get caught up in the thoughts of what other people think of me?  What if I say something wrong?  Make a wrong decision?  In a world of social media and cameras everywhere, it feels as though our every move is being scrutinized.  As a parent, it is easy to feel as if people often feel the need to critique my parenting skills. Sometimes I think it would just be easier to stay within the safe bubble of my own home where no one can judge me. I recently read this: (it was addressing mom’s but can be applied to anyone).  “These women need to read their Bibles! Pretty much everything can be boiled down to a handful of fundamental scriptural truths.” So true, and so easy! When we know whose we are and what His Word has to say to us, the answers are straightforward.

Be Kind (Ephesians 4:32)

Don’t Complain or argue (Philippines 2:14)

Never gossip (1Timothy 5:13)

Assume the best! (1Corithians 13:7)

Don’t be afraid of hard things (Joshua 1:9)

Remember don’t be swayed by popular opinion.  Hold fast to biblical conviction.

We as believers need to remember to always go to the Bible for the right answers.  It seems like such a simple thing to do, but we so often forget. God’s approval is the only one that matters.

Blessings,

Pastor Jordan