Living Life as a People Pleaser
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
For me, many years have been spent living this kind of life. I cannot tell you when it stopped because there are still times when I fall back into those old ruts. However, they are not as frequent, and I’ve learned to recognize them before I travel too far down the rabbit hole. Pat Butler Dyson (Mornings with Jesus) shares a life-lesson for all of us who are tempted to please.
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My husband, Jeff, and I own a little condominium on the beach in Galveston, TX. We love to vacation there, but it’s also our pleasure to offer it to family and friends. My daughter-in-law’s parents had planned to use it for the weekend, so Jeff and I drove down and spent hours cleaning furiously to make the place sparkle. One final look told me the condo was perfect and guest ready.
We’d been on the road, headed for home, for an hour when it dawned on me, I didn’t buy coffee for them. Jeff reminded me there was a free coffee bar downstairs, or they could walk across the street to Walgreens if they wanted to make their own. My mood soured. Instead of being satisfied with our day of hard cleaning, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I didn’t do.
It’s not easy to live life as a pleaser. As a firstborn child and only daughter, that was the destiny I embraced. The desire to please, to go over-the-top in everything I do for others, has persisted into adulthood.
When I get caught up in people pleasing mode, I realize I’ve strayed from Jesus, for it is only Him I need to please and no one else. How much more satisfying would life be if I concentrated on being a servant of Christ? I’m taking a vacation from people-pleasing and plan to find out!
FAITH STEP: Make a list of three things you could do that would be pleasing to Jesus. Then do them!
Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your patience that You extend to us. Teach us how to put You first in thought and deed. Show us how to follow Your example of living. AMEN.