I NEED APPROVAL!

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 NLT

Preach it Paul!

Obviously I am NOT trying to win the approval of people… Then again, I am. Blogs require traffic, otherwise they are just online journals really. It’s hard to try to only do things for the approval of God. Praise from the masses of people are what’s required in this day and age. Marketing. Entertainment. Even preachers need the approval of their church if they hope to have one. Books require sales, or at least sales potential if they hope to see the light of day. Unless an author desires to self-publish, and to them I say “So long to your savings account!”

Reaching an audience is difficult. The greatest performers on the planet have an off night. Some times they just go through the motions. When I performed for 5 to 6 days a week, there would be times I would be saying my lines perfectly, but at the same time I’d be wondering what I want for lunch. My heart wasn’t in the moment. Today, I’d give anything just to be performing in front of an audience again. COVID-19 has really butchered the live entertainment industry. May it Rest in Peace.

Before my time on stage ended due to this pandemic, I was already seeking a new audience through the world of literature. I finished my first novel. Yet, today, it’s only a file on my computer. No audience to be found. I’ve taken classes on publishing novels, worked and re-worked my query letter, edited and re-edited my manuscript, and most recently I began changing the POV for the ENTIRE novel! All for the purpose of pleasing the audience (and getting a literary agent). I’m at my wits end.

One thing still drives me. But God…

I can give up, it’ll never be published. BUT GOD told me to write a book.

I can accept that I’ll never perform for an audience again. BUT GOD gave me these skills and talents for a reason.

Whatever I do or write will be criticized severely by the people who’s approval I need for it to be successful. BUT GOD will use it for HIS glory, not mine.

Ok, ok, ok, God. I hear you. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be your servant. And that is what I make my priority in life. To be YOUR servant. Not a servant of man, or money, or the world, but YOU, God. My redeemer, my savior, my God. So if the world is telling me the work isn’t good enough, does that mean I shouldn’t care what they say? Maybe… OR, God could be speaking to me through them to tweak things until HE approves.

God doesn’t always speak to us from a mysterious voice in our head. God will use those around us, or even complete strangers to speak His will into our lives. However, our hearts need to be focused and open to Him. The enemy will try to deceive and manipulate to take us off God’s path. So, we need to be able to tell the difference. We need to know God’s voice. His Word is available to us. There’s a sample at the beginning of this blog post. Find some time to dive into His word so you can know His voice. Then, when He speaks, you will know who’s voice it is.

Make sure you are listening.

Amen