Opinions

Life is too short to be addicted to the approval of others.

Isn’t that true? I can see you nodding at your computer... so then why do we spend so much of our precious time looking for it? Why do people’s opinions matter so much?

I think it’s simple. Because it feels so good.

We like pats on the back, attaboys, to be on the coffee list, the smile of our boss, and the outstretched hand of the guy whose job we just saved through our hard work.

It feels good to be liked. It feels great to be loved. The best feeling? When we are recognized for something we’ve done in front of our peers... and a whole room erupts in cheering! THAT’S when we know we’ve done well... and we want that feeling again and again and again.

We become addicted to the approval of others.

Problem with this type of approval is that it’s impossible to maintain long term. People’s opinions shift... their moods change. We mess up... the approval fountain stops flowing. Someone’s having a bad day? We think less of ourselves because they don’t feel like giving out complements. The teacher is on a peak... things are good! In a valley? Pop quiz.

The approval of others is inconsistent and based on temporary feelings. It makes us feel great in the short term... but craving more in the long term.

Today, I want to give you another way of looking at your value. There is one opinion that matters and it’s that of God. After all, He is the one who created you with all of your gifts (and you have some)... He is the One who sent His Son here to pay for your sins... He is the One who knew of all the flaws and made you anyway.

Let’s take a look at what the God’s Word says about you:

You are a child of God (John 1:12)

Jesus Christ is your friend (John 15:15)

Jesus paid for your sin and you don’t have to. (Romans 3:24)

You are brand new in Christ (Romans 6:6)

You have been set free (Romans 8:2)

You are accepted by the King of Kings (Romans 15:7)

You are no longer a slave (Galatians 4:7)

You are free (Galatians 5:1)

God picked you special (Ephesians 1:7)

You are the best work God can do (Ephesians 2:10)

Your life was bought with a high price (John 3:16)

You are in the light not the darkness (Ephesians 5:8)

God is guarding your heart (Philippians 4:7)

You are complete (Colossians 2:10)

You are chosen (Colossians 3:12)

You are loved (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Today, if you find yourself trying to win the approval of your peers... remember that your real value is eternal. You already have the stamp of approval from God... who loves you more than anyone else.

Loving Not Judging

"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, `Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye, then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."  1 Samuel 16:7

This morning you woke up and the thoughts hit you.  Your past...your responsibilities...your successes...your failures...your future... all of these thoughts probably raced through your mind before you took your first sip of coffee.  You’ve got stuff on your mind that you don’t know what to do with.  You may feel imperfect, challenged, indifferent... or maybe it’s jubilant, elated, and hopeful.

Either way... you are you.  The end result of years of choices.

You know what... you aren’t alone.  Millions of people open their eyes each morning with the same thoughts, the same hang-ups, the same stresses, and the same circumstances.  They may snap at you at the grocery store...or cut in front of you in line.  They may say your work is no good... or your best is not good enough.  They may say your God isn’t able... or may not believe in your God at all.

But they are just like you.  Created by a loving and caring Lord.  His masterpiece.  

They are in need of understanding.  They have a past...  just like you.

They are in need of compassion.  Nobody has told them that Jesus loves them lately.

They are in need of hope.  Their world is as cynical as yours sometimes.

They are in need of love.  Not judgment.

Jesus said “You are the light of the world...” (Matthew 5:14).

President Woodrow Wilson once said, “The thing to do is to supply light and not heat.”  

Which will you be in someone’s life today?  Light or heat?  Does the world need more understanding or criticism?  Do your co-workers need a supportive ear or a pointed finger?  How about your kids?  How hard are you on yourself?

Today you have a choice.  You can judge others... but the world has a lot of critics.  You can stay neutral... but the world has a lot of people doing nothing.  You can love others...and the world will change for the better.  

And by loving others...you’ll change too.