Trying to avoid making the unpopular call? Desiring to fit in and seemingly failing because of faith? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 NLT
Having a clear sense of our roles and goals is a crucial aspect of our spiritual growth. We are accountable to human leaders (parents/family, teachers/mentors, friends and spiritual/political leaders. And, for many of the cited examples, there is a scripture to support the argument.
We are however, accountable firstly to God. So we hear, ‘… obey our parents IN the Lord’, ‘… follow as I follow Christ’; and even ‘seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness …’ (Ephesians 6; 1 Corinthians 11 and Matthew 6 respectively). And experience has taught that following God’s lead isn’t always the most popular option.
But following God is not about a popularity contest. It’s about relationship born of gratitude, obedience,love and faith. Gratitude when we recognize God’s gifts to us. Obedience comes with recognizing that God’s laws are FOR our benefit, not for drudgery. Love, in response to the overwhelmingness of True Love directed upon our every waking moment. Faith flows from knowing God and discernment of the extent to which God has gone and continues to go on each of our behalf’s.
The intensified connection with God reduces the need to people please for we become clearer and clearer about our priorities – giving to power brokers all they are due; providing that that does not contravene God’s laws.
So, when peer pressure, family pressure/loyalty and life seems to push and pull at us; hold strain. Re-center. Allowing for some down time with our True Love removes the stress and affords the opportunity to make righteous decisions. (And if we don’t, confession to God restores us into relationship).
