Audience of One… Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that man gets justice.” Proverbs 29:26
When driven by the fear of man, the pressure to perform steals your peace of mind. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). In performance based relationships you can never do enough to please a perfectionist. You are caught in the crazy cycle of striving to please someone who can’t be pleased. After exhausting yourself to meet their expectations you have to stop to honestly evaluate the outcome.
Who do I really want to please? Who is my audience? Almighty God is your audience of one. You look above the heads of mighty men on earth and focus on the face of Jesus in heaven. Is He smiling? Is He applauding? Is He happy? How freeing and refreshing to know you ultimately answer to your Creator, your Savior and the Lover of your soul. People are the Lord’s pawns to carry out His purposes. You may plea before authorities and receive an apathetic response, but when you pray before Jesus He is just and He cares.
Therefore, seek the favor of your Savior. Set eternal expectations and you will not be disappointed. Regardless of where you live, work or play, He is the one and only audience for which it matters how you perform. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10). Am I enamored only by eternal applause? Do I trust the Lord with His right results?
Related Readings: 2 Kings 6:27; Psalm 16:7-21; Matthew 24:25; 1 Peter 1:17
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
