It is never an easy task to truly understand, let alone live by, the principle that we are
called to live solely to please God. Our lives must mirror Him, and our gaze should be
fixed on Him alone trusting fully and wholeheartedly. These are not merely suggestions
but divine biblical truths and recommendations to which we are commanded to adhere.
Yet, I must confess, I have often struggled in this area, for many times I have longed
more to please people and to capture their attention.
At times, it feels like a natural reflex; at other times, it is simply because I crave to be
loved and accepted by as many people as possible, if not by everyone. Yet such a desire
is utterly senseless, for not everyone will ever love you the way you long to be loved. We
live in a broken, imperfect world myself included where everyone establishes their own
standards and expectations. Consequently, we tend to look at others through the lenses
of our own criteria, and when they fail our test, we deem them unworthy of our love or
attention.
But I have come to understand this: I am not called to seek validation or the approval of
every man or woman, but only that of God. With people, I will never be enough; they will
always demand more, just as I, too, am prone to expect more from them. This insatiable
cycle is the very nature of humanity. Yet Scripture speaks plainly:

Galatians 1:10
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I
were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4

“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we
speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

These words stir my spirit deeply. They remind me that if my life is pleasing to God and I
seek His validation above all else, then nothing else truly matters. This does not mean
that I must live without listening to the counsel of others, without learning from them, or
without appreciating their applause. Rather, it means that my identity and my purpose
should never be rooted in those things. The God who fashioned me should always have
the final say over my life. No one else not even my husband should occupy that sacred
place.
Day by day, God is teaching me to walk in this truth and to accept it with humility and
gratitude. I must continually remind myself that He is my number one priority, my
ultimate point of reference, my everlasting King and Father.

Prayer
Therefore, Father God, grant me the grace to keep this ever before my mind, for my
thoughts so often wander and forget. Let me remember always that You alone are
worthy of my devotion, my obedience, and my love.
By MPDK