Galations 1:10

“Am I now trying to win the approval of man, 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.” (NIV)

· Cross References: Acts 4:19–20, 5:29, 1 Thess 2:4

Paul, the vessel in which God used to write the letter of Galations, kicks off the book with emphasizing the Truth of only One gospel to the churches of Galatia: the gospel of God’s love and grace shown through His Son, Jesus Christ. Galations 1:6–9 warns us of going astray by believing lies and turning to a false gospel. Then, verse 10 forces us to stop and question ourselves. This verse nudges us to ask God to search our hearts, test our motives, and reveal the reality within ourselves: are we seeking God’s approval, or have we neglected the true gospel we received by seeking the approval of man?

As I reflect, there has been several seasons and moments that I have placed other people on the throne of my life without even realizing it. Instead of aiming to please God, I have subconsciously made others my idol. And before I knew it, everything I did and the person I was becoming was all based on them. This led to a shaky and restless soul. I began seeing how dependent I was becoming, how inconsistent people are, and how impossible and unfulfilling trying to please mankind really is. Through experiences of unhealthy, co-dependent, broken, toxic and even abusive relationships, I have seen and felt the truth of emptiness that comes from living to please people.

You see, the truth is that we were never created to be someone’s everything. We were never created to fulfill someone else nor be fulfilled by someone else. Rather, we were made to be complete, whole, and perfect in Christ alone. Yes, your Heavenly Father created you to be pure and holy through relationship with His Son. He is the only One who can completely satisfy our souls that long for something more. He is the source of life- the answer to the aching of our hearts. He is our everything, not other people. God does not just have all we want and need, but He is all we want and need.

So, if you think the Holy Spirit is nudging you and opening the eyes of your heart to a blind spot that just might be hindering you from experiencing everything that God wants so desperately to give you, ask yourself: Is living to please someone else really worth it? Is living to please people who don’t fully know you, love you, didn’t create you nor have the ability to fulfill you worth passing up a life desiring to please the One true God, who does fully know you, love you and knitted you together in your mother’s womb? Is it worth more than living for the One true God who wants more than anything for you to simply seek Him so that He can satisfy your striving soul and give you everything you have ever longed for?

Lord,

Search my heart and test my motives. If there is any way in me that is seeking satisfaction in other people and not You, I pray that I would see and experience the fullness of Your rich and unconditional love that You have graciously lavished on me. Help me put You, alone, on the throne of my life. You are the One who created me. You are the One who knows every single part of me from the inside out. You know all my weaknesses and strengths. Everything about me (even the things hidden, that nobody else knows) is laid bare before You, and yet You still love all of me anyways.

Thank You for the truth that nothing can separate me from Your reckless and everlasting love. Thank You for never changing and always being enough. Thank You for being my rock and foundation. Lord even if I don’t believe this is true about You, I pray that a seed of faith would take root in my heart and I would step out into obedience.

I pray that I would take a leap of faith and start putting You first in my life. Lord renew my heart that has been enticed, entertained and left empty. Lord help me seek You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength to fulfill me and filter my thoughts, beliefs, words and actions through You, that everything I am would be pleasing and glorifying to You. You are my God, You are my everything. May I live accordingly and begin to see what You have been waiting to graciously show and give me. Thank You Jesus.

In Your Name, Amen.