Approval:

I came across this quote the other day, tucked away in the pages of an old journal of mine..


It was utterly convicting, and reminded me of how self-serving I am..
so I thought I'd share..

"I think as I am immersed in Christian sub-culture, Christian friends, a Christian school, a Christian community with Christian conversation, and a Christian church that from time to time, my longing for people to see God's glory in my life outweighs my longing for Christ Himself.
Much of what I do as a proud human being is a result of my desire for people to see me doing it.

Think about it..

would I serve faithfully, feed and clothe the homeless, study the Bible, host prayer meetings, plan missions trips, if no human being ever saw me doing it or encouraged me in my faith?

Would I desire Christ with no none by my side to encourage and fight with me?
Would I desire Christ if it meant being the focus of hatred from humans on earth?
Would I preach Christ down the barrel of a gun?
Would I be tortured, beaten, stoned, hung, crucified.......

If I KNEW that no one would ever hear about it?

If the glorious tale of my martyrdom went untold?
Or what if your torturer promised that he would tell the world that you renounced the name of the One for which you died, and entered eternity, kicking, screaming, begging for mercy, and cursing the name of Christ?

If I new the world would think I was a coward.

then would I be willing??


It's amazing how deep a desire for the approval of man runs... "