To ____ be the Glory?

When I was in middle school (for the sake of this story, I’m referencing my middle school days, and for that, I’m sorry) I remember having a crush on a girl. Shocking, I know. I’m sure many of you have similar memories of that as well.
My crush and I went to the same church and I remember the usual routine each week. It was the end of a Sunday night at church and sometimes our pastor would ask the older students to help clean up scattered flyers and put up chairs. Seeing as I was an eighth grader, I was looked to as one of the leaders of the middle school ministry so I often helped. Well, my crush was also an eighth grader and, totally coincidentally, it was easy for me to put on a cheerful demeanor to help clean up. I always saw my willingness to help and her being there as disconnected facts, but looking back, it makes me wonder if the reason I was so willing to help was because of a heart that was willing to serve, or because I wanted to be noticed in front of my eight grade love interest?
I bring this up with a grimace and a chuckle to pose a couple of questions: what is your motive? and whose name are you seeking to build up?
As I was reading John 12 the other day, a couple instances of this glorifying self attitude stuck out to me. The first came in verse 6. Judas Iscariot had just asked why expensive ointment that had anointed Jesus’ feet had not instead been sold and the money given to the poor? It goes on to say, “(Judas) said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
To any of the other disciples standing there this may have seemed a noble question to ask; I mean, after all, isn’t helping the poor a righteous thing to do? But Jesus knew better, and He knew that Judas’ intent was not to help the poor, but so that he would have more money available to take from the moneybag for himself.
What was his motive? More money for himself. And whose name was he seeking to build up? His own.
The second instance in my reading was highlighted in V43, “for (the authorities) loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” Many of the authorities had believed in who Jesus had said He was, the Son of God, but out of fear of losing their positions and glory, they said nothing. Their hearts had become more fond of the affirmation of man than of pleasing God.
What has your heart become fond of? Are you longing for the affirmation of God or the affirmation of man?
Here are a few indicators that may expose where your heart lies: when you do honorable things, do you look to see if people are watching? Or when you serve in some way, do you make sure to post about it so that all your friends can see? Or maybe you aren’t that obvious. Maybe you just happen to slip in how you were busy the other day doing *insert good deed*.
Maybe you find yourself guilty of some of the things I just mentioned. I know I do.
I’m reminded of 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.” Christ’s approval and the surpassing joy in knowing Him is far beyond any approval that could come from man. Let us, you and I, seek to run from our wicked tendencies of pleasing man foremost and “(choose) rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Heb. 11:25) That we would be like those at the end of the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. Those who were faithful to God’s calling, yet were simply referenced as “others.” They knew that the joy in lifting Jesus’ name up was far greater than any approval or recognition that could’ve come from man.
Lord, help me to fight against any desire to please man, but instead to please You.
