Wanted: People Pleasers (NOT!!)

Dear Kids,

John 12:43: “. . . for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”

From the time a newborn enters the world a struggle begins. A baby doesn’t think of anyone but himself. He cries when he is hungry or uncomfortable trying to get his parents to attend to his needs. As he grows his desires get more pronounced and broad. While learning to talk one of the first words he learns is “No.” Most children do not want to do what they are told, but only what brings their own pleasure.

Instead of desiring to please only themselves, these little people start to focus on getting the approval of those around them. A word of praise and a pleased look from a parent, friend, or family member creates a good feeling. From then on the pressure is on. Many spend a huge portion of their lives trying to gain the approval of those around them.

While it is appropriate to think of others more highly than one’s self, we run into trouble when our life’s focus is gaining approval from others. This is a dead end view since it is impossible to please everyone all the time. Striving toward this goal only produces frustration, hurt, and anger, which can lead us into sin. As we strive to be what we think others expect, it will also cause us to miss out on God’s intended purpose for our lives.

Jesus had spent months and months teaching and performing miracles to reveal His identity to those around Him. These attesting signs were meant to point His followers to the deeper spiritual truth of their need for a Savior and to draw them to belief in Himself as the Son of God.

While some believed and followed Jesus wholeheartedly, there were other rulers who believed quietly.  They were afraid of the powerful Pharisees who were threatening to put anyone who followed Jesus out of the synagogue. The Bible says these leaders loved the approval of men more than the approval of God. They were afraid to rock the boat because of what it would cost them. What a sad statement about those who should have taken the lead in pointing others toward Christ.

Though they believed in God’s Son, because of their cowardice these leaders did not speak what they believed to be true. In doing so they missed out on an opportunity to be involved more fully in the life of Christ here on earth.

Think about yourself. Who are you trying to please? Do you spend all your time and efforts trying to gain approval of those around you? Do you tailor your lifestyle and beliefs to the world’s way of thinking? If you do, then you are missing out on true success.
Pleasing God is the only worthy and fulfilling endeavor. It is a matter of trusting Him and believing that He is Who He says He is.

Love,

Mama