2 Timothy 2:15 (HCSB) 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
As we look around, we see many people who have a desire to be approved. Some want to be approved by a man. Some want to be approved by a woman. Some want to be approved by their family. Some want to be approved by an organization. Some want to be approved by a team. Some want to be approved by leadership. And some just want to be approved…they don’t care who or what approves them, they just want to be approved. Approval…..
What you must understand is that the approval of people is fickle. What do I mean by fickle? Many people are only going to follow their own emotions. So, if they follow their emotions, that means that some times they like you and some times they don’t or won’t like you. Some times they will not even want you in their presence. Now, if you are only joyful – notice that I didn’t say happy – when someone or some organization approves of you, then you have a major problem. Better stated, you have given a person or an organization power over who are, who you desire to be, and what you are able to achieve. Their Approval…
What you, my friend, must understand is that your worth is not found in a person or organization nor whether that person or organization approves of you or not. Your worth is in the fact that you have been created in the image of The Creator. And because you have been created in His Image and because you are able to shine as He Shines, then you are valuable to Him. What you, my friend, must understand is that you must learn more about Him and how He desires for His image bearers to live and represent Him. What you, my friend, must understand is that in order to truly shine to the brightness that you were created to display, you must study what it is that He has said to us. You must understand that His Message – His Word – will give you the recognition that you have been attempting to receive from people and/or organizations. His Approval…
Family, Paul, led by The Holy Spirit has given us a word of encouragement. I know he directed it to his student Timothy; but this word is not only for a young leader but for an old leader, for a non-leader, for a man growing in his faith, for a woman who is about to lose her faith, for a young person who wants to have just a little faith, for a woman of faith who’s faith is constantly being tested, and for that one who cares not to have any faith in promised The Messiah (The Anointed One). Studying The Word will show you who you currently are and who you are capable of becoming. Studying The Word will show you some folks who were in the same situation as you and some folks who were in worse situations than you but they were delivered from their miserable, dreadful, painful and sad situations. Studying The Word will empower you when it seems that the enemy and your enemies have defeated you. Studying The Word will show you how The Eternal One stepped into time to defeat your eternal, material, and mortal enemy for you and to show you the Right Way to eternity while you are still in time.
Family, stop killing yourself for the approval of a man, a woman or an organization and truly begin your journey of pleasing The One in who’s image you have been created. You may be tarnished right now but studying His Word can and will give you the shine that you so desperately desire. Study The Word and receive The Only Approval that really matters from The Right Authority who has always had your best interest in His Mind! It’s go time……time to go unroll the scrolls and get your approval!
Shalom (Peace)!
Scriptural Reference:
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