March 29, 2016

Please God Or People?

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? 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

Who are you trying to please? Are you trying to please your spouse? Your children? Your boss? Your friends?

Who should you please? God.

Is it easy? No. Most of us prefer to not have all that drama that comes when people are unhappy with us. It’s just easier to go along than to stand our ground. Sometimes that can be a good thing. Except when your actions aren’t pleasing to God.

Have you ever used your spouse as an excuse to not go to church? Have you ever used your spouse as an excuse to not take your children to church? Obviously, church attendance doesn’t turn someone into a Christian. But being surrounded by people who love Jesus does impact on our lives. It helps us learn and allows us to worship with others.

When you let your spouse keep you from church, what are you saying to God? Are you telling God that your spouse, and your spouse’s opinion are more important than God?

Have you ever been embarrassed to pray before a meal at a restaurant? Why? Are you grateful to God for providing you with food? Then why are you hiding that gratitude? If you’re with people who aren’t believers, it’s still okay to pray silently. I’ve done it many times. If someone scoffs, that’s on them. You answer to God.

We also answer to God when it comes to where you go and what you do. Have you ever been invited to a club or a movie or a party or anything that you know deep inside is the wrong place to be? That’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Do you heed His voice? Or do you silently participate because it’s easier than the comments and laughter that might come if you bow out?

Each and every day we have choices to make. Some seem smaller than others but when we allow ourselves to start a slide, that slide has a way of escalating into something we never intended.

Paul said it to eloquently. If we’re trying to please people, we really can’t be servants of God. The choice is yours.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Focus On Following God

Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant. -- Galatians 1:10

How many people have you tried to please today? Spouse? Children? Parents? In-laws? Friends? Co-workers? Boss? And that’s just the beginning of the list. Sometimes it seems that we spend all of our days, every day, trying to please other people. It’s an impossible and exhausting task.

The sad truth is that no matter how much we do, some people will never be pleased with us. There will always be that one co-worker who finds fault is everything you do. Your mother-in-law will find that one speck of dust you missed. Your husband will need the very suit you forgot to pick up at the drycleaners. And your child will need help with a class project the night before you’re scheduled to give a big presentation.

It’s so wonderful to know that the only One whose opinion really matters is God’s. Sure, we want others to like us and appreciate what we do for them but we can’t meet their needs or high standards all the time. Nor can they meet ours.

Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in him. But they wouldn’t admit their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

-- John 12:42-43

We sometimes spend so much time trying to please others that we miss doing what pleases God. We can’t seem to carve out time for Bible study and prayer because our family needs us. We can’t volunteer at the soup kitchen because the kids have so many activities and there simply isn’t time. We neglect visits to elderly relatives and sick neighbors because we’re trying to earn a promotion by putting in extra hours at work.

Yet, what is really important? What will matter long after this merry-go-round ride is through? Not money or status or promotions. What matters most are the people whose lives we touch as we live our faith. What matters most is spending time with God, listening to His voice and growing in His word.

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. -- Galatians 5:1

It is so freeing when you finally reach a point where you realize that pleasing God really is all that matters. What about your family? Well, pleasing God means loving them and being kind and caring for them. It doesn’t mean running yourself ragged trying to meet an impossible list of needs. The same is true of all the others who demand time and perfection from you. Oh, sure, there are some who still will grumble and complain. So what? They’re going to be unhappy no matter what you do.

Seek God’s Word. Follow His call. Let His peace surround you. Let everything else fall into place according to His Will.