Focus on Living for an Audience of One

In Luke 16:13 I read, “No one can serve two masters.” (NIV)

When I’m always worried about what others think of me, I can’t be what God wants me to be. But, when I learn to think like Jesus, I won’t worry about pleasing everyone. Jesus had the right focus. He was only concerned with pleasing God.

Jesus was never manipulated by crowds or by the approval or the disapproval of anybody else. He lived for an audience of one: “I try to please the One who sent me” (John 5:30 NCV). When I have the mind of Christ, that’s what I do.

Wouldn’t it simplify life to live for an audience of one? If God likes what I’m doing, then I know I’m doing the right thing.

God says in Matthew 3:17, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (NIV). Jesus was obviously doing it right.

The truth is, I can’t please everybody. Even God can’t please everybody! When someone prays for it to be sunny, somebody else is praying for it to rain. Somebody is praying for their team to do well, and someone else wants the opposing team to win. I can’t please everybody.

Luke 16:13 says, “No one can serve two masters” (NIV).

I have to decide whose approval I’m going to seek, God’s or others. Am I going to live for what other people think or what God thinks?

When I’m always looking for validation from others, it means I don’t really realize who I am. I don’t understand what God made me to do or believe that he is always with me.

Jesus never let someone else’s approval or a fear of rejection control him. He wasn’t out to win a popularity contest. He didn’t need other people’s opinions to validate himself.

When I have the mind of Christ, I will be so secure in my identity, my purpose, and God’s presence that I won’t need to look to others for approval.

In summary, I cannot serve two masters. When I’m always worried about what others think, I can’t be what God wants me to be. When I learn to think like Jesus, I won’t worry about pleasing everyone. Because Jesus had the right focus. He was only concerned with pleasing God. Jesus lived for an audience of one. When I have this same mind of Christ, that’s what I’ll do as well. I can’t please everybody, so I’ll have to decide whose approval I’m going to seek, God’s or others. When I’m always looking for validation from others, it means I don’t fully really realize who I am and I don’t understand what God made me to do or believe that he is always with me. When I have the mind of Christ, I will be so secure in my identity, my purpose, and God’s presence that I won’t need to look to others for approval.

Father, I thank you for reminding me that I'll not be able to please everyone and that my focus should be on pleasing you. You and your will is what matters most. I pray today that with the Holy Spirit’s help that I’ll remember this simple concept. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. Also help heal Jeannie and myself from this head cold we are experiencing. I pray this through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.