Amber, our youngest daughter, wanted to get an early start one day while almost all of our family was recently at Disney World in Florida. Waiting in front of the notorious castle that often symbolizes Disney Parks for the daily welcome and opening of the park rides, a young lady with an overabundance of makeup on her face stood at the front of the crowd taking selfies. Another girl with her was taking pictures of her as well. This girl obviously thought she was attractive and glamorous by the way she posed before each picture. Interestingly, she was doing all this in front of a watching crowd of hundreds of people.
While observing her little performance, it made me think of how young children especially often call out to their parents or friends, “Watch me.” as they walk on a narrow board, jump around or do something silly. Of course, we smile knowing they are simply seeking the attention and praise of their family or friends. As we age, we aren’t so brazen yet still use different techniques like telling stories or doing those things we think we are good at to seek the approval or praise of our friends. After witnessing or preaching my dad would often say, “I really shook them up!” inferring he really made them think differently. In other words, he was really looking for praise for doing something admirable—just as so many of us do. Some get a respectable degree, have a nice car or house, create a business, (you fill in the blank) ____, etc. in order to get others to respect if not admire them. It seems as though we all are shaped, by God or the Adamic fall, to crave the attention and/or approval of others. If we are not skilled or attractive enough, we find ourselves in some form of defeat, low self-esteem or depression.
These thoughts came to my mind as I read Solomon’s words, Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised (Proverbs 27:21, NLT2). We value silver or gold that has been purified (tested), so why can’t we see the positive value when we fail to receive from others the praise for which we long? Could it be that God uses praise to test and purify us while we seek praise to make us feel better about ourselves? If so, our response when people praise us is being carefully observed by the Holy Spirit who is seeking to teach us to be like Jesus.
Jesus said these very profound words, How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God (John 5:44 ESV)? Those words have sobered me many times over. They have actually changed my value system! How so? If I find myself seeking the approval or praise of others, it will be much more difficult for me to seek God and His approval/glory. Those who thrive on accolades from others (crowds or individuals) will find themselves spending more time and resources seeking to fine tune their skill set, their influence, their personality in contrast to sacrificing the same things in order to seek to more intimately know the God who alone can give us healthy confidence and esteem. In contrast, those whose passion is to know God, His ways, His value system more intimately slowly develop an immunity to the praises of other humans. I know from personal experience this is true!
No wonder Jesus said, But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides (Matthew 6:33, AMP). I believe a significant life on this earth is not about what we do but about why we do what we do!
Such a good word, Pastor Bob. Thank you for sharing.