Audience of ONE

"If you don't live from the praises of man, you won't die from the criticism of man"

Stop and think about this.......





It is our human nature to desire validation, affirmation and receive appreciation for who we are and what we do. We seek gratification and we try to find it in many different ways. It is fine to be recognized for our strengths but in the same breath, can we be corrected for our weaknesses?

I believe as a society we are seeking validation and affirmation in all the wrong places. We see relationships fall into disarray because two people are looking for false affirmation through the other person. Relationships that are only founded on a self-serving motive are bound to crumble. We find people sacrificing their values and integrity to gain the approval of others.


Can we find true value and worth in ourselves regardless of others approval?

Any athlete (or FORMER athlete in my case) can speak from experience and tell you that affirmation and approval of our value sadly comes through success in our particular athletic endeavors. This can be dangerous as we hinge our worth on performance. Our identity is formed through what we do. Not who we are.
I fell into this false sense of affirmation. My performance severely dictated how I saw myself and the value I held in my worth. My identify was Jacob, the football player. Not just Jacob.
I sought approval through this title. I didn't know exactly who I was without it.
When we look to the world for approval, we are often times disappointed. The true and lasting approval that comes from the Lord can propel us into our destiny.
Jesus states it so plainly and boldly...
John 5:41 (NLT)
⁴¹ “Your approval means nothing to me...

The Amplified Bible adds a little more^...
41I receive not glory from men [I crave no human honor, I look for no mortal fame]...

Jesus rejected all approval of man!
He wasn't simply indifferent to it but He rejected it completely! He didn't want it, didn't need it.
His audience was His Father

Can we fight our selfish, self gratifying nature and only desire to gain the approval of the Lord? Is His satisfaction and pleasure in us the one thing that drives us when nobody is looking, when the world doesn't see? How about when the whole world is watching? Is He the only one we care sees?

Father,
Our only desire is to honor You and to be honored by You. We shake off the world's approval and seek your approval alone. We look to You Papa for the affirmation in who we are. Our ONE goal, ONE focus is to do Your will and be found faithful. We want to know that only You are pleased with us Lord and pleased with what we say and do. Thank you for singing Your love and affirmation over us. We find our worth in You, in the approval You speak over us.

An audience of ONE.......the most important one