PLEASING OTHERS

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (PROVERBS 3:7-8)

A law student looked for honors and approval from his professors and his peers. His motivation was to “look good” in all that he did. He pursued unbelievably high standards, and when he eventually failed, he was crushed. All of his work to come out on top provided him with nothing. He left law school feeling cheated, a failure.

It is easy to fall into a trap of trying to live up to society’s standards. We try to look food for other people. We play at popularity games and try to impress others with our position and prestige. This is sad, because who we should really be trying to please is God. He has created each of us with special gift and talents, and it is His will that we do nothing more than live up to the potential He created for us. We don’t have to try to be something we’re not with God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. What is important for is to do is find out who we really are and try to remain true to that identity. God loves us just as we are, and as long as we believe that God knows what He is doing, then we can be satisfied with ourselves as He created us.

Lord, help me to realize my potential. Make me less a person-pleaser and more a God-pleaser. Grant that I might discover my gifts and talents, then assist me to use them as You would have them used. Amen.

From published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.p.20-21