DEVOTION - Day 1

Galations 1:10 (NIV)

 ¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Here we see the Apostle Paul writing a letter to the churches in Galatia.  In it, Paul is calling them out for so easily leaving the faith and turning their backs on God and the message that was preached to them.  One of the ways that they are turning their backs on God is by focusing on what others will think of them and trying to win their approval.

For far too many of us, we base our actions on what someone else may think of us.  As we consider things like what we will wear tomorrow all the way to where we’re going to attend college, we often place a high value on what someone else may think of our choice or action.  But, Paul tells us here that if we do that, we are not doing what God has directed us to do.

Today, I was having lunch with my boss from work and I knew that I needed to pray over my meal.  But I didn’t.  Why?  Because I thought it would feel awkward.  I didn’t know how he would react.  Instead, I acted in a way that I thought would “please” my boss rather than doing what I knew would honor God.

So, in what areas of your life are you trying to please people rather than God?  Who in your life are you trying to win the approval of?  What is God asking you to do that may go against the ‘norm’ and may not win the approval of those around you?

Pray to God today that He will give you the strength and the courage to stand out.  Commit yourself to living a life that, in all things, honors Him.  Remember, change is a process not an event – so be consistent in your devotion to Him and live your life according to His truth.