Whose Approval Do You Seek?
Jasmine Luter resides in Tampa, FL, with her husband and two children. Jasmine and her husband have been married for ten years. She enjoys writing, watching HGTV, spending time with friends and family, and being an avid Target shopper. Jasmine’s heart is to encourage moms to realize their worth and treasure in Christ and know His love to help them be the moms and women they are called to be.
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
I have to admit I enjoy watching The Devil Wears Prada whenever it comes on television. In the film, the character played by Anne Hathaway goes through a full circle transformation in the process of seeking approval from her boss, played by Meryl Streep. She starts as a passionate, down to earth aspiring journalist who winds up getting a job totally out of her element as an assistant at a fashion magazine. Initially being less than concerned with fashion, she undergoes a makeover and personality change while under the control of a demanding boss who constantly interrupts personal plans to have her work requests met. In the end, Anne Hathaway’s character looks back and sees what drastic and dramatic changes she’s undergone, including losing the people near and dear to her because of her need to seek the approval of her boss. Anne realizes she doesn’t want to be the person she has become and returns to her roots, finding a job at a local newspaper to do what she loves, staying true to herself.
How many times have we, as Christians, found ourselves in a similar situation – losing our way and ourselves in the never-ending quest to seek approval? So, how can we seek our Heavenly Father’s approval rather than worldly approval? We can REST in Him.
Remember who and whose you are.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a) God loves each one of us and calls us into relationship with Him. We don’t have to be perfect. He calls us to come to Him as we are. He is strong in our weakness, and we can be and do what He has called us to do.
Embrace your identity in Him.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) In Him, we are whole, and we are complete. He sees us as holy no matter what we have done. Knowing that we are His creation and prized possession calls us to live and walk differently – to live knowing we are loved. We should live in a way that shows we know and embrace His love.
Show others love and let your light shine for Him.
“Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) As Christians, we are called to serve and love others as He has loved us. We do not do this for approval or to be seen; we do this out of the overflow of our hearts to love as we are loved. Yes, we may get acknowledgment and praise, but we should not seek those things. Our actions should ultimately bring Him glory, and that’s the only approval we should be seeking.
Turn away from worldly approval and seek heavenly applause.
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) The need for humanly praise will lead us down a dangerous path. Worldly praise is empty; the more we get, the more we feel we need. God’s glory is fulfilling, satisfying, and fills us with peace, hope, and joy.
We all want affirmation, and affirmation from people is not entirely wrong. However, we should turn the affirmation we receive into praise back to the only one who deserves the credit, the Lord. I pray that you are filled with REST as you seek to please God rather than the world.
