Tag Archives: Jesus

Approval Hunger

People like to be affirmed. The hunger for approval has been proven to be a major factor in our lives. It is, for example, a major motivating force in the lives of actors and actresses, athletes, politicians, news reporters and commentators. After all, they live by and for ‘Approval Ratings.’ Their livelihood depends upon it. And often, unfortunately, so does their self-image and mental health as well.

And this hunger is not limited just to them. Most of us, if we are honest, hunger for approval. I understand it. As a pastor for over 40 years I am familiar with the desire and temptation to seek approval. As a husband for over 47 years, a father for over 45 years, and a grandfather for over 18 years I know the hunger – I am all too familiar with the magnetic pull of approval. I have a hunch you know it too.

And while this hunger is not entirely a bad thing it becomes harmful when it drives and dictates our actions. We begin to do things not because they are right or good but because they will, we think, gain us approval. And it’s not too long before we start praising and affirming ourselves to try to satiate the hunger and influence others to affirm us. Just witness the actions of many athletes after a great play or game, just listen to politicians defending their record or actors/actresses speaking out on issues even if they’re not informed or qualified or reporters and commentators reasoning illogically  – all in order to gain the approval of whomever is important. (Even now I wince at the thought of how many times I might have consciously or unconsciously softened – or strengthened – some words to gain or keep the approval of leaders or friends.)

Perhaps that’s why Proverbs 27:2 jumped out at me the other day. “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” Or as Eugene Peterson put is in The Message “Don’t call attention to yourself; let others do that for you.” Granted, these are hard words to live by. It’s tough to fight off the approval hunger. But there is a way – focus on Jesus. Then good news is that He has already affirmed our worth, already demonstrated His approval – He did it from a cross. For me, that’s the only approval that really counts. And I already have it! And so do you. This already-gained approval can drive us to please Him. We please Him not because we want His approval but because we already have it. And when we do so we’ll experience this approval one more time – we will receive it personally: “‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:23)

Well done – from Jesus. What other approval do we need? His alone satiates our hunger. Forever. Why not accept His approval?

The Crowd Appeal

Hardly a day goes by without a report of a crowd of people protesting, marching, and/or rioting. I want to make it clear that I have no issue with protesting or marching (rioting is a separate issue). It’s a privilege to live in a country where it can be done freely if done responsibly. But the truth is many such events draw almost as many ‘joiners’ as they do people truly dedicated to the particular cause. These ‘joiners’ are there just because there’s a crowd and that allows for a chance to exercise unbridled passions and irresponsible behavior with little chance of repercussion or punishment. It’s part of the appeal of the crowd. It’s easy and often fun to follow the crowd. The crowd has great appeal.

Yet it occurs to me that most of us have been tempted to follow the crowd, even if not in protests or marches. It’s all too easy to follow the crowd when taking stands on political issues, moral issues, and religious issues. Or to follow the crowd in fashion, decision-making, investing. Or to be swayed by public opinion, media reports, or peers and friends. Ever thought or said “After all, everybody’s doing it; everybody’s going; most everybody I know feels this way; so many people can’t be wrong?” The crowd has great appeal.

But appeal and numbers don’t necessarily make the crowd right or following the crowd a wise choice. Author Chuck Swindoll wrote (1),

“I read a story (The Log, Navigators) years ago about a bright young fly who unfortunately sought safety in a crowd: Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a “customer” he would clean up on him so the other flies would not get suspicious.
Then one day this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spiderweb. Old man spider called out, “Come in and sit. ” But the fairly intelligent fly said, “No, sir. I don’t see other flies in your house, and I am not going in alone!” But presently he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing.
Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, “Don’t land there, stupid! that’s flypaper!” But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, “Don’t be silly. Those flies are dancing. There’s a big crowd there. Everybody’s doing it. That many flies can’t be wrong!” Well, you know what happened. He died on the spot.
Some of us want to be with the crowd so badly that we end up in a mess. What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he or she escapes the web only to end up in the glue?”

Sometimes the most valuable and important things, even life itself, are available only by going against the crowd. I’m reminded of Jesus’ appeal when He said, “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” (Matthew 7:13-14, The Message)

The crowd or Jesus. Which appeals to you?

(1) Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, Word, 1987

What If…?

There is a cartoon that shows Jesus sitting in a big chair with a little boy on his lap. Jesus says, “How about if instead of giving you everything you think you want for Christmas I give you what you need?” (1) I find that a fascinating question. What if Jesus gives me what I need and not what I want, or even think I need?

As we approach Christmas Day I challenge you to ponder this great “What if?” Do an honest self-assessment – if you and Jesus were alone together what would He say you need? I have a hunch that most of us, when we’re honest with ourselves, know the answer. But whether or not we do, the issue is “Do we dare ask Jesus to give us what we need?” Are we convinced He knows best? Are we willing to accept it?

I believe Jesus does know best. He always knows best. Think about it. If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer. If our greatest need had been security, God would have sent a bodyguard. If our greatest need had been health, God would have sent a doctor. If our greatest need had been companionship, God would have sent perfect mates. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent a Savior. “You shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). (2)

Jesus always knows best. Do you really want to ask Him to give you what you need? Even if it hurts? Even if it means letting go of something – someone – you truly prize? Even if it means giving up your dream? Even if it means radically changing a habit or altering your lifestyle? Even if it means a new vocation? Even if it means losing money, prestige, or status? I flinch as I write these words; it’s far easier to write them than to embrace with a resounding ‘Yes.’ It’s hard to release everything to Jesus.

The bottom line is that we can cling to and try to keep what is dearest to us, or we can release everything to Gold and ask Him to give us what is best. As Martha Snell Nicholson has penned:

“One by one He took them from me, the things I valued most,
Until I was empty handed; Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth’s highways, grieving, In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting, “Lift those empty hands to Me!”
So I held my hands towards Heaven, And He filled them with a store
Of his own transcendent riches Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended With my stupid mind and dull, That God Could not pour His riches Into hands already full.” (3)

What if…?

  1. Reverend Fun, www.reverendfun.com
  2. When the Going Gets Tough…, Rev. Curry Pikkaart, Westbow Press, p. 113 –For more information visit www.pastorcurry.com
  3. http://www.cavaliersonly.com/poetry_by_christian_poets_of_the_past/poetry_by_martha_snell_nicholson

What I’ve Learned from a Cactus

cactusA Christmas Cactus is a unique, mysterious yet glorious plant. We’ve had one for over 40 years. For most of the year it’s not much to look at. But as Christmas and Easter approach it springs into full bloom. I don’t understand how it is so regular (especially since Easter varies form year to year); I just know it is. I can count on it blooming. And every time it does I am reminded of several truths.

I am, for example, reminded that our cactus is very much like many people – they show up for worship only at Christmas and Easter. Their faith blossoms twice a year. But that’s a subject, perhaps, for another time.

I am, more significantly, reminded that life is only in full bloom through Jesus. Life blossomed fully (Christmas) when Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. He came that we might have life and have it abundantly, to the full. Life blossomed fully (Easter) when Jesus rose form the dead so we could dwell with Him. Jesus came down not only to be with us but to lift us up. The blooming of our cactus is, for me a stark reminder that only Jesus can provide fullness of life.

Then, too, I remember that the cactus blooms every year, on time, no matter what. Trust me – it has survived most everything. Our plant came from my parents who got it from my grandparents. Grandma used to keep it upstairs, in the dark and in cooler temperatures, where it seldom got watered. Still it bloomed. The original plant has been spliced and divided among children and grandchildren. All the shoots bloom. Our original spliced plant has been divided often – even knocked over and broken by boys, being boys, playing soccer in the house. Still it blooms. We’ve had other cactus and plants, which we’ve treated and cared for more carefully – they’ve died. But not the Christmas Cactus. So every time it blooms – on time – I’m reminded that God is likewise faithful. He always comes on time – never too soon or too late. No matter how tough the day or how difficult life might be at the moment, God comes right on time.

The apostle Paul grasped this well. “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” (Galatians 4:4-7 NLT) “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT) Could it be God created the Christmas Cactus to remind us of His faithfulness?

Helen Steiner Rice poignantly captures the spirit of our Christmas Cactus in what has become one of my favorite poems. May it give you encouragement and hope.

“What More Can You Ask”

God’s love endureth forever –
What a wonderful thing to know
When the tides of life run against you
And your spirit is downcast and low…

God’s kindness is ever around you,
Always ready to freely impart
Strength to your faltering spirit,
Cheer to your lonely heart…

God’s presence is ever beside you,
As near as the reach of your hand,
You have but to tell Him your troubles,
There is nothing He won’t understand…

And knowing God’s love is unfailing,
His mercy unending and great,
You have but to trust in His promise –
“God comes not too soon or too late”.
So wait with a heart that is patient
For the goodness of God to prevail –
For never do prayers go unanswered,
And his mercy and love never fail.