Living to Please God, Not People
By Dianne Prince
“For I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14, NIV).
Sometimes family members and friends can make us feel bad about the decisions we make. They may judge how we run our households, how we raise our children, and question why we chose a particular path in certain situations.
Living for others often leads to poor decision-making. In Matthew 14:1–12, Herod needlessly beheaded John the Baptist because he sought to please his stepdaughter. He acted on her expectations against his better judgment.
Living for others can also cause you to lose sight of the truth. Jesus was crucified because Pilate was swayed by the crowd to release a murderer and condemn Him (Luke 23:23–24).
Living for other people can cause you to lose sight of who God created you to be. Therefore, know who you are—and know who you are living to please. In the grand scheme of things, God is the only One who truly matters.
Today, be your own person. Stand firm in what you believe deep in your heart, and speak up when your convictions go against the grain.
Do not let others determine where you are going or how you will get there. Always be mindful of where you came from, and stay focused on where you are going. Remember, through Christ, you can accomplish whatever you set out to achieve when your life is lived to please Him.
When you stop living for people and start living for God, your direction becomes clear, your purpose becomes firm, and your peace becomes unshakable.
