An Audience of One

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.   John 12:43

So often we seek the approval of people more than the approval of God.  This may occur for a number of reasons.  Often it just makes us feel better to garner the approval of people we can see as opposed to a God we cannot see.  Also the rejection of a parent, friend, or loved one early in life may contribute to the desire for human approval later in life.  This need for approval may result in performing for others in terms of our career choices, spousal selection, and many other things.  We begin careers that we are not even passionate about simply to gain the approval of people and because they are socially acceptable.  When we don’t receive the approval we desire, often we are tempted to become despondent or seek more desperately to gain that desired approval.  As we walk along our Christian journey, we need to become more concerned about performing for an audience of one rather than an audience of many.  Romans 8:31 is clear that “if God be for us, who can be against us” anyway?  The only opinion that ultimately matters and carries weight is God’s!  As we work, volunteer, or serve others, let us ignore the large visible audience and perform for an invisible audience of one!