“Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

This morning, in this season, on my journey with God this verse is reduced to; “Seek God’s approval; please God, be a servant of Christ.” How? Have faith in God, love God first and foremost, love others as God loves me and love myself as God does; and be the person God calls me to be. While the congregations I serve are not in danger of falling away to worship idols or to follow a different gospel (as some of the Galatian church were doing) there is always a danger of lack of faith in the promises of God. To take things on in our own strength, to press for approval of issues not because God is leading us to approve them, but to “win” by having one’s own personal agenda approved. Often in life, the loudest voices or the present majority lead us away from holiness. Away from pleasing God, the order gets rearranged – love of others loving self becomes way more important than loving God, following God, having faith in God and living with God. The only way for us to fully live with God is through holiness and righteousness which come from God. “Seek God’s approval; please God, be a servant of Christ.” Yes, yes Lord! Who among you will journey with me seeking God’s approval, living life to please God by being a servant of Christ? Walk with me, hold me accountable, allow me to hold you accountable. Lord forgive me for attempting to please people while allowing them to wander outside of Your boundaries. I return myself to You.