Core Scripture: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Message: I needed to hear it.  The Father’s Day sermon hit home to me, and to fully digest it, I knew I needed to write about it.  Chances are that you need to hear this too.

Our lives are all about approval.  We continually seek to please, and sometimes we can get caught up seeking approval from the wrong places.  We drink from wells that will never satisfy. 

Let me explain with some examples.

Do you crave that pat on your back from your boss when you spilled your heart into a project?  Do you measure your worth by your golf score?  Do you wonder if loved ones will somehow dismiss you as unworthy?  Or maybe you just want affirmation through a game on your phone. 

Let’s be real here.  Where do you seek approval?

The world will tell you so many lies.  If we are not careful, we will fall into traps that make us believe them.  Things like if only I were 10 pounds lighter.  If I only my boss would notice me.  If only I could post the perfect family photo.  If only my landscaping topped my neighbor’s.  If only I could get more followers.

There is a problem when we look for fulfillment in the wrong places.  We might hear what we want, but what if we don’t?  What if we fall short?  What if there was something better waiting for us if we just opened our eyes to it?  What if we drank from the well that never needs to be replenished? 

Jesus had plenty of naysayers.  He met rejection from the Pharisees.  He was misunderstood by His hometown of Nazareth.  He was spit on, slandered, beaten, scourged, and crucified by the Romans.  There was one place Jesus always went, however, for approval. 

He went to God in prayer.

God heard every word.  It didn’t matter what others thought of Him.  God’s approval mattered more.  God’s love was and still is unconditional.  He loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us.  To make everything right.  A God that cares that much should be the One we seek approval from.

God never changes.  He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  He isn’t swayed by feelings or emotions.  His love is constant, and He is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8).  What an incredible Father’s Day reminder!

Rest in that assurance today.  There is no need to be validated by wells that will eventually dry up.  Drink from the well God provides us in Him. 

Challenge: Where is one place in your life you have been seeking approval wrongly?  Take a small step towards conquering it and bring it to God.

Video application: The Father’s Day sermon from my church inspired my blog this morning.  Here is the message.  It is well worth the watch!

Bible study: Journal about or discuss how the following scripture connect to the message today.

• “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.” (Galatians 1:10)
• “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” (John 12:43)
• “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:6-9)

Just for fun: There is a story my folks told me.  I was just a toddler when I was riding my red tricycle around our cement basement.  Eager to show off my new “trick” I learned, I called my parents to see what I could do.  They watched in wonder as I sped up, lifted one foot off the pedal, and smiled at their applause.  Their approval may have been slightly biased, but oh well.  It made me feel good. 

Prayer: Lord, I struggle in seeking approval in the wrong places.  Help me find true fulfillment in coming to You in prayer.  Amen.