One of the reasons why projects are delayed in both private companies and government offices is the number of approvals needed for its implementation. While the basis for requiring approvals is valid, it sure still becomes a bottleneck, and could sometimes be a hindrance for progress.
The same is true for a person who keeps on seeking for other people’s approval. He gets stuck in a rut as he keeps on thinking twice about everything he says and does to ensure he gets a positive reaction from the people he aims to please. He is at a loss when making decisions because he obsessively weighs what could impress others. He pursues things even at the expense of what and who really should matter in his life.
“Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?” Isaiah 2:22
And while it is not entirely wrong to pursue great things, we should always examine our motives. Are we sacrificing our relationship with God, time with our family, and even our physical and mental health to please others? Have we been prioritizing the wrong things to get the likes, shares, and approvals in our social media feed? Have we become popular to our virtual friends, yet despised in real life?
If we have been dedicating too much time to build an image for ourselves that we hardly care about our relationship with God and other people’s feelings then we should seriously rethink what we are doing.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” Colossians 3:23
Anxiety and depression are just two mental issues that we could suffer when we try hard to control other people’s opinion of us. As followers of Jesus, we do not have to live like this. We are called to live an abundant life that only aims to please Jesus.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
When our sole aim is to do what pleases our Lord, all else will follow. Since He commands us to love others, we will get to become better people. We will also get to enjoy the life He has planned for us, because we will no longer be pursuing things that are superficial and meaningless to us but means so much to the people we aim to please. Our everyday life will be lived intentionally, in worship to God and in service to our loved ones and those around us.
“To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.” Ecclesiastes 2:26
When we cease to remove our focus on ourselves, and the pursuit of everything impressive, we will start living the life that God has designed for us. When our decisions are made in honor of God, He blesses us with things that money cannot buy and the world cannot take away. When our sense of worth is not dependent on other people, but on how God sees us we will have a deep sense of peace, contentment, and joy even in the face of challenges.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Giving up on things we have been pursuing just to come out impressive or appear fabulous and enviable lifts a heavy weight upon our shoulders. As followers of Jesus, all we should be after is His nod of approval, and God’s tap on our back saying “well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Colossians 3:22-25 and Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you preoccupied in doing things that aim to please and impress other people
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your loving kindness and for calling us to follow you and please you alone. Forgive me for the times I was preoccupied to impress those who do not even exist to glorify you. From now on I will endeavor to fix my eyes only on you. Amen.
