Tune in to God’s Gifts
Ears that hear and eyes that see—the Lord has made them both.—Proverbs 20:12 (NIV)
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.—GALATIANS 1:10 NIV
Sometimes we work ourselves to the bone because we have no choice. Other times, we do it to win the approval of others.
Today, let’s be honest with ourselves. Are we run-down? Worn out? If that’s the result of situations we can’t control, let’s ask the Lord to give us the strength we need to keep going. But if we’re exhausted because we’re afraid of letting someone down or hurting his or her feelings, it might be time to reassess. If we’re up to our eyebrows in work, overlooking other options for the people under our care, then we might be caught up in the “man-pleaser” game.
Here’s how the game works: We do our best to make others happy—at any expense. Our health, our finances, our time. We sacrifice in unbalanced ways because we’re concerned about what people will think of us.
Today, let’s aim to be God-pleasers. Let’s do the things He calls us to—nothing more and nothing less.
Lord, You see my heart. You know what struggles I have in accomplishing these tasks. Redirect my thoughts, Father, to pleasing You rather than men.
Ears that hear and eyes that see—the Lord has made them both.—Proverbs 20:12 (NIV)
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.—Matthew 10:14 (NIV)
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.—Psalm 119:62 (KJV)