It doesn’t matter what they think

Imagine, if you will, a conductor leading an orchestra. Each musician has a different part to play, some play beautifully, others may hit a wrong note, yet the conductor continues, undeterred. He is not swayed by individual opinions or performances but is focused on the symphony as a whole.

Our guiding scripture today is found in Galatians 1:10 (NIV): "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, 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."

Just as the conductor is not swayed by the opinion of each individual musician, we too, as followers of Christ, must not let the opinions of others deter us from the path God has set before us.

1. **The Approval of God vs. The Approval of Man:** It's easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing, but Jesus warns us in John 15:18-19 (NIV), "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

2. **The Fear of Man:** Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) states, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Fear of man leads to compromise and can deter us from the purpose God has for our lives.

3. **Living for an Audience of One:** Like the conductor, our focus should be on pleasing God alone, our audience of One. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) encourages us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Friends, it is God's opinion of us that truly matters. Let us aim to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23 NIV) rather than seeking the fleeting applause of men.

Let us pray:

"Heavenly Father, help us to keep our eyes fixed on you. Give us the courage to live for You, unswayed by the opinions of others. Remind us daily that our worth and identity are found in You and not in the approval of people. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.