Some people seem afraid to make a peep if somebody else is not going to like it.
And other people act as if they could care less what others thought about their choices.
Where are you in that panorama of peer opinions?
It’s a life philosophy that we have to deal with all through our lives, it seems. Even as seasoned adults, there is still the pressure to make choices determined by the anticipated approval of others.
And that’s not altogether bad, particularly when our choices DO have an effect on the well-being of others. We should consider others ahead of ourselves when it comes making choices.
What’s vital to recall, though, is that we should consider God’s will ahead of everybody else’s will, including our own.
Why? Because it is His approval that really matters in this life and the next.
He is the One who sits on the throne and before whom every soul must stand in eternity.
He is the One who confers blessings and salvation.
He is the One who provides guidance and peace for the soul.
He is the giver of life, the Creator and re-Creator.
That being the case, our lives should be led to please Him first, even if it means displeasing people who have different agendas than does He.
You’re smart enough to know when an employer or co-worker is wanting you to do something that is contrary to God’s will.
At that moment, will you seek God’s approval by choosing the path of integrity? Or will you choose to be a people-pleaser, no matter what?
The same principle applies, of course, when a relative wants you to join him or her in a scheme that hurts the interests of others, whether they be parents or siblings or even an employer for whom you and the relative work.
At that moment, will you choose integrity? Or people-pleasing?
We sometimes encounter the same intersection in our church lives when it comes to how we deal with a difficult person or a difficult doctrine of scripture or with the Holy Spirit’s call to give more time to volunteer ministry in place of watching our favorite TV shows.
Here’s how the Apostle Paul wrote of this topic:
“Am I now trying to win human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
When choosing between a choice that pleases God or one that diverges from His path, please remember Matthew 6:33 that calls us to seek God’s Kingdom first and He’ll make sure we’re taken care of with the things of life that really matter.
Let’s agree to serve God first, no matter what. Some people won’t like it, but the ones who do are the ones with whom we’ll be serving and praising the Father, Son and Spirit forever. And that’s a good thing.
As always, I love you
Martin
