Elusive Approval

How it glitters as a prize worth striving for. And yet, it is just a mirage. Consider Acts 14:18-19 “And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

Okay, so maybe this is an extreme case, but the bottom line is that people can be fickle. 

There are three kinds of people. There are the ones who love and support you unconditionally. It doesn’t matter how great you are or how much you mess up. They’re in your corner, and they’re not going anywhere. Then there are the ones who truly can have their approval lost or earned, which can be very exhausting. Like the verses above, they flit between near worship and attempted martyring. It all goes back to the old fable— when you attempt to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one! 

Finally, there are the ones who have predetermined your inadequacy and nothing will suffice to change their minds. They triumph in your failures and belittle your successes. They stand in perpetual negativity and disapproval. And so, I write, knowing that there are those who will disregard or despise me for doing so. Yet there are those I may encourage, and to that end I continue. Do what’s right…follow what God has called you to do, whether the “court of popular opinion” is on your side or not. And finally, leave the results with Him. He will be glorified, whether that’s by using us to encourage others or completing the oft painful process of sanctification in our own lives. “Let Him Have His Way With Thee” and focus on pleasing Him, and Him alone.