{whom are you trying to please?}

I was reading through one of my daily devotionals the other day, and I was reminded of this scripture:

"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 love Paul's letter to the Galatians.  It is so raw and so honest.  It's like he's saying to them, "You idiots, have you completely forgotten everything we've talked about?  There you go again, trying to do things with your own power, thereby diminishing everything that Christ did for you. Wake up, fools!" {or you know, something to that effect} He wants them to remember what they're living for--what their purpose is and what has been sacrificed for them.  

I feel like Paul's letter could just as easily be addressed to many of us {believers} today.  We live in a society that tells us we "get what we deserve" and that "if it's going to be, it's up to me."  We live in a society that emphasizes trying to be the best, own the best, do the best.  Yet, what measures are we using?  {see this article for an insightful look into how we measure success}

Our pastor gave a powerful sermon yesterday about how no matter what we own, what job we have, what car we drive, how perfectly we respond to people, etc., we will still face rejection from people.  It's just natural.  Even the most perfect individual who has ever existed was just downright hated by some people.  It didn't matter that he was the most loving, kind, patient and honest person to ever exist.  

So then, what are we working for?  What measures can we possibly use to determine our success in life if we know that people will always reject us in some way or another, no matter what we do?  Paul tells us that the answer is really very simple.  We have to just stop trying to please man.  

Here's the thing...there will come a day for each and every one of us, whether we're ready for it or not, in which we will no longer be a part of this earth.  We will pass on and there will be no moments left for people to judge us or accept us or reject us.  So if that's the case {and we all know it is}, we have to be willing to let ourselves remember that there will be a day when all of those things no longer matter--we have to be willing to believe that there is something greater and more worthy of our time than simply working hard to earn accolades and praise from people who, too, will vanish from the earth.  

I don't know if those of you reading this are already followers of Christ, but if you aren't, let me tell you something--while I can't hold him in my hands nor show you his face, I know that there is a God who loves me.  I know that he is so great that even though I rejected him and told him that there were other things more important to me than serving him, he decided to love me anyway.  He decided that I was valuable enough that he would give up a part of himself that was SO precious to him {Jesus} just so that I could have the chance to come into his presence for eternity.  And then, as a parent must do sometimes, he left the choice up to me of whether to accept it or not.  You have that same choice--you are completely allowed to tell God that you would prefer not to accept the gift, that you'd prefer not to spend eternity with Him.  Of course God will be sad because he loves his children, but that is a choice he leaves up to you.  You can also choose to say yes.  You can choose to accept his gift and inherit his kingdom.  The choice is yours.  No one will ever tell you that living a life as a believer is easy, but let's be real...living a life not as a believer is hard too.  The difference is that as a believer, you have a power behind you that's bigger than just you--bigger than any power that any person here on earth could have.  

So if you're finding yourself in a place where comparison and the need to achieve and please those around you is getting to be overwhelming, remember the words of the One who created you--"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."  You've got the option to have someone in your life who loves you and accepts you unconditionally and who will never leave you--and He's the one you could spend eternity with {I like the idea of being accepted for all eternity!}.  And if you ever just want to talk about it, you know where to find me.  :)

Happy Monday, all.