Approval (Blessing): Building up or affirming another person, particularly for who they are (as opposed to what they do); affirming both the fact and the importance of our relationship with another person. (Ephesians 4:29; Mark 1:11)
Losing yourself in the opinions of others makes it difficult to find your true self.
At times we may need to be built up and affirmed by those most important to us but if you did not/ do not receive much approval you may begin to question your self worth. You may even become an approval-seeker to feel validated, and the efforts we make to feel approved or valued may lead us onto paths difficult to leave when we discover the end is not what we’d hoped.
In this week’s 52 WKP the focus is on believers and others. Can you spot approval-seekers in your circle of influence? Maybe God wants to use you to meet this need for approval in them. Finding something to value in another person may not be as difficult as you might imagine.
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Approval
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Walking in the Light: Having a fresh encounter with Jesus.
John 12:43, For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Even though some of the Pharisees believed that Jesus was the Christ, they were afraid to say so because they feared being excommunicated from the synagogue. They desired to please men more than please God. That may describe many in our circle of influence. Oh, they may attend church and even profess that Jesus is Lord, but watching them run hard after the approval of others – at almost any cost – reveals more darkness of the soul than the light of Christ.
What about you? Do you fear the disapproval of men more than receive and believe the approval of God? Is your desire to please men more than to please God? Tough questions I know, but questions worth asking yourself.
Jesus received approval from His Father, as mentioned recently and found in Matthew 3:16-17 at His baptism. The Father valued and values His Son because of who Jesus is not just for what He was about to do. I know these two go hand-in-hand (actions and character), but the Father recorded for us how to approve of someone you love and help remove their aloneness. As Jesus was about to launch His ministry, knowing His Father’s approval was huge.
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a lamp and a light, so walk in the light of frequent experiences of doing His Word. Psalm 119: 105
Let’s do: Matthew 6: 33, b ut seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Imagine starting each day proclaiming to God that you desire His approval above all others? What would it be like to start your day with a prayer like that? How would that affect your day and how you responded to those around you? Better yet, how would it impact your day to know you are already approved by the Father and unconditionally loved? As for me, I would want to love Him back and be a blessing to His heart and to others. Yes?
If you seek His kingdom first (put God’s will and direction above your own), how would that affect your interactions with believers and others? Would you approve of them the same as God approves of you or would you be in judgement based on what they have done?
Without the love of God in our lives and the Holy Spirit living in us, we could not approve of others based solely on who they are compared to what they have done. You can find something to commend others for if you focus.
Light Source #3: God’s people are sources of light so walk in real
fellowship with believers and others: “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
Some friends in our circle of influence may not have received approval from those that were important to them. You can usually see the approval-seekers by their actions. (Those that: Direct conversations towards themselves. Those seeking to be the center of attention. Those seemingly begging for compliments.)
What if you purposefully lavished them with blessings! Show approval to them by your words whenever God opens the door to do so. I bet you will make a difference in their lives and possibly fill a hole in their soul!