This summer I worked as a camp counselor, which was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. The Lord was so good and faithful to me through this past summer. As soon as I stepped into that place, I knew the Lord was there and at work. I didn’t really know what that looked like for me as I embarked on what seemed like a never-ending marathon of summer to me. Often times, the Lord is working when you don’t know it or can’t see it. That is one attribute that makes Him so great. This is just what He did for me this past summer.
During counselor orientation at the beginning of the summer, we practiced the general routine of a regular day at camp. At 8:10 we would attend morning exercises. Don’t be fooled. This was really a time to sing and to hear a devotional from women on the leadership team. One of the days the wife of the Associate Director and her daughter gave us the devotional. She urged us to be purposeful this summer and memorize Scripture. She reminded us that Scripture has a great power when it’s memorized in our hearts. She and her daughter painted flowers on notecards for all the female counselors to write a verse and memorize it throughout the summer.
I had no idea what verse I would put down, but the Lord did. As I was going through the devotional for campers, I came across Galatians 1:10, which says, ” 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.” (ESV) I didn’t think much about it, but I decided to write this verse on my notecard simply because it “sounded good”. Little did I know the Lord was going to use this verse to impact me greatly.
As I navigated the camp counselor life, the verse was in the back of my mind. It wasn’t until I left camp for my one term off that I began to understand the power of this verse. I was struggling with a big decision for a while and had no idea what to do about it.
One morning, while I was praying, the Lord led me to review Galatians 1:10. This time it hit me harder than before. He made me realize that so much of my life was focused on winning the approval of my friends, my family, and even people I didn’t know. According to Galatians 1:10, that is the complete opposite of who we should be trying to please.
I sat contemplating the power of people pleasing had a hold over me. I was caught in a life of pursuing others’ approval instead of God’s approval. To be honest, at most times, I still am.
We live in a society where we will never be enough to the world, but the good news is that we have an amazing God who looks past the worldly flaws. I’ve now realized that I don’t need to rely on what other people think of me, whether that’s good or bad.
Galatians 1:10 states something powerful: “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” When we get caught up in what other people think, we miss out on God. We become self-obsessed and lose our identity in Christ. We become slaves of ourselves instead of servants of the Lord.
The truth is, if you have decided to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have been made approved. You are wiped clean because of the blood shed on the cross. There is no need to chase after people’s opinions of you because you have been declared righteous by the King. No matter what you do, the Lord is there forgiving sins and confirming good done in His name.
Living an approved life means you distinctively choose every day not to put your worth in others’ opinions. It is a battle. It is not easy. It requires daily prayer, confession, and commitment. If we can break this pattern of people pleasing, we will experience indescribable freedom through Christ.
Live each day knowing: I am approved.
Approved. 