The Daily Battle

The message is everywhere I turn - in my devotions, in my Pastor's message on Sunday, in the text of a book I am reading. Far too many of us struggle with seeking the approval and praise of the people in our lives. During this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas the pressure seems to escalate. So much to do, so many people to take care, so many needs to be met. Our perception can become very distorted as we experience all of these voices crying out at the same time. If we are not watchful, the sound will drown out the one voice we are supposed to be seeking and hearing, the voice of the one who created us and who is so mindful of the status of our hearts, our spirits. Who is it that we are really supposed to be focusing on pleasing?

Romans 2:29 ... And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law, rather it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praises from God, not from people. 1Thessalonians 2:4...Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Seek the approval of God, not man. This advice appears in other places in the Word, yet we still struggle with seeking man's approval. How frustrating we have made our lives by looking in the wrong direction for the praise and acknowledgment that we are loved and appreciated. The sad realization for me is that I know better. He has shown me time and time again that lowering my eyes to the level of my fellow human being and vainly striving to earn their approval only brings me disappointment and feelings of inadequacy. It is not that people in my life don't love me or even appreciate me. It is that I am focusing my energies in the wrong direction in trying to please them. When my daily focus is on what those around me need and expect, I fall short of meeting the goals that my Lord has set forth for my life. In fact, sometimes, I cannot even see them for the fog of "earthly needs" as seen through my perspective.

I am relatively certain that there is someone reading this that has struggled with performance issues throughout their lives. It has been a struggle for me since my childhood. Never feeling "good enough". Never feeling as if I had finally climbed to the crest of the hill and could now relax and glide down. If you can identify with what I am saying than you know how exhausting that is. You try to be everything for everybody frequently falling short of even excelling in what you are gifted. This season of the year, those efforts are not only exhausting, but they can be overwhelming causing severe depression and desperation. That is not the desire of Him who loves us more than we can imagine.

Recently I have written about the Body of Christ and how we are all uniquely gifted in some way that makes the body complete. We need to remember this as we try to shift from the "super person" mentality into a God-pleasing mentality. I am reading an interesting book that was written over 20 years ago. Don't you love finding a gem? In The Different Drum, Dr. Scott Peck wrote about community from many different aspects. This morning, I read the following: It is true that we are called to wholeness. But the reality is that we can never be completely whole in and of ourselves. We cannot be perfect. We cannot be doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, farmers, politicians, stonemasons, and theologians all rolled into one. It is true that we are called to power. Yet the reality is that there is a point beyond which our sense of self-determination not only becomes inaccurate and prideful but increasingly self-defeating. It is true that we are inevitably social creatures who desperately need each other not merely for sustenance, not merely for company, but for any meaning to our lives whatsoever. The Body of Christ needs each member in order to be complete, in order for the incredible plan of God to be complete.

If each of us are struggling to be everything to everyone, we are not only in error, but we are preventing the other members of the body, the other people in our lives, to carry their responsibilities, to fulfill their functions as designed by the Creator. I listen to the heartbreak of people around me as they battle to fulfill what they perceive to be the expectations of those around them. I hear the exhaustion in their voices, in their words. I can readily identify with the battle that is being waged. Yet there is no peace in this battle. This is not the good fight to be won that is referenced in scripture.

When we come along side the other members in the body of Christ, each carrying their own individual shield and sword, we become a mighty army and can sustain each other. We can encourage our brothers and sisters because we recognize that each of us has an obligation to carry our weight in this world. God has destined each of us with a specific assignment. One powerful revelation that He has shown me is that I am not to try everything until I figure out what He is specifically calling me to do. Is that a novel idea for you? Ponder that for a moment. Many of us feel as if we have not yet identified or walked into our lifelong calling. So in the meantime, what do we do? Everything that comes in front of us!! I am as guilty of this as anyone out there. Desperately wanting to feel as if I am making a contribution to the kingdom and making a difference, I would tackle anything that came my way, especially when in a season of transition and waiting on a word from the Lord. But is that His desire for our lives? I think not. How can I hear Him if I don't stop long enough to rest in Him and just breathe in the presence of Holy Spirit?

I want to hear Him. I want to know what it is specifically that He has called me to do. It does not matter that as I look around me, I see many people achieving what I value as awesome accomplishments for their lives and for the kingdom. I should not compare myself to them. It is hard for me to not compare when I devalue where I am and what I am doing. I need to ask God am I doing what you want for this moment in time even if it seems insignificant to me. I cannot see the whole picture. I have no clue as to the value of my thread in the tapestry of life - of the world - of all of creation. I must learn to believe that He values me and what I am doing, if I am indeed listening to Him and can find peace in the answer that I get. So must you. For whomever God has had me write this message, please be encouraged. You are valued beyond your imagination. Set your heart on His heart. Set your eyes on on His majesty and rest in knowing that He loves you. Live daily to please Him and not your fellow man. God's praises are not only sufficient, they are fulfilling beyond any words that man can give you.