I have been thinking on this thought lately, and wanted to throw it out for some discussion.
Many today are seeking affirmation as to their importance in life. They look to different avenues to find this affirmation. Peer Pressure is very real in our society, and many will go to great lengths to find approval of their peers. It is noted that some will break the Law, do crazy stunts, go through painful ordeals, all just to be approved of by those around them. Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
I often think that this same need for affirmation has found its way into the Church. many will hold a certain line of thinking for acceptance, though they themselves are not "sold" on the idea themselves. To some, it is all in who you know, and what "big name" you can drop. Some will stand in the middle and try their best to straddle the fence because they desire acceptance of all sides. Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
I think of Israel, who wanted to be like all the other nations of the world. I believe the motive was that they would be accepted as a legitimate nation among all the others. In being like the others, they would cease to be different, and would be accepted as "one of the guys". I think of Saul, who instead of obeying the Lord and destroying man and beast, spared the king, and the sheep. He wanted the approval of his people. He wanted their affirmation that he was a good King. He was willing for a moment to disobey Gods command for that affirmation. Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
So who is it that you are seeking affirmation from? Is it the people you fellowship with? Maybe its the posters on internet forums? Who is it that will give you the "Stamp of Approval" that every man and woman desires? Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
Re: Where Do You Seek Your Affirmation (Approval)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by stmatthew
I have been thinking on this thought lately, and wanted to throw it out for some discussion.
Many today are seeking affirmation as to their importance in life. They look to different avenues to find this affirmation. Peer Pressure is very real in our society, and many will go to great lengths to find approval of their peers. It is noted that some will break the Law, do crazy stunts, go through painful ordeals, all just to be approved of by those around them. Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
I often think that this same need for affirmation has found its way into the Church. many will hold a certain line of thinking for acceptance, though they themselves are not "sold" on the idea themselves. To some, it is all in who you know, and what "big name" you can drop. Some will stand in the middle and try their best to straddle the fence because they desire acceptance of all sides. Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
I think of Israel, who wanted to be like all the other nations of the world. I believe the motive was that they would be accepted as a legitimate nation among all the others. In being like the others, they would cease to be different, and would be accepted as "one of the guys". I think of Saul, who instead of obeying the Lord and destroying man and beast, spared the king, and the sheep. He wanted the approval of his people. He wanted their affirmation that he was a good King. He was willing for a moment to disobey Gods command for that affirmation. Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
So who is it that you are seeking affirmation from? Is it the people you fellowship with? Maybe its the posters on internet forums? Who is it that will give you the "Stamp of Approval" that every man and woman desires? Lets face it, everyone wants to be accepted and approved of by their peers, and have a sense of importance in this life.
I spent many years seeking the approval of 'the church'. I spent so many hours, days, years- working for it that my family suffered and I ceased to serve the One I professed to love.
An idol is something that we can't live without and I allowed the 'church' to take the place of my Savior. It's been many years but I think I'm finally headed in the right direction.
__________________ "I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it."
Re: Where Do You Seek Your Affirmation (Approval)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReformedDave
I spent many years seeking the approval of 'the church'. I spent so many hours, days, years- working for it that my family suffered and I ceased to serve the One I professed to love.
An idol is something that we can't live without and I allowed the 'church' to take the place of my Savior. It's been many years but I think I'm finally headed in the right direction.
Like you, I sought approval from my pastor and church family when I was younger. I found out the hard way that family should come first!
Re: Where Do You Seek Your Affirmation (Approval)?
I stopped 'seeking' affirmation from people. There are many things I have learned in 50 years: You can't please everyone so you have to please God and stay true to yourself.
There are a few opinions that I care about but I can go without any of them.
Re: Where Do You Seek Your Affirmation (Approval)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
I stopped 'seeking' affirmation from people. There are many things I have learned in 50 years: You can't please everyone so you have to please God and stay true to yourself.
There are a few opinions that I care about but I can go without any of them.
Re: Where Do You Seek Your Affirmation (Approval)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReformedDave
One can make an idol even out of good things, actually they are the most dangerous.
I agree with you and PM. I often looked for approval and affirmation from my church and leaders there in. After things in my life crumbled to a degree I became focused on affirmation from God and my family. Everyone wants to belong and feel needed. Now I look for affirmation from 3 sources. God, first of all, my family and then I look to affirm myself. I want to make sure I live up to the standards I set for myself. That is the hardest to do. Often times I find that if you do not meet the mark with your family that they give a little mercy to you and God the sameway, but if I do not meet my 'self-standard' then I feel most let down.
__________________
"If we don't learn to live together we're gonna die alone"
Jack Shephard.
Linear Mode
