When God first opened opportunities for me to teach His Word, He also graciously gave me a “word.” It’s one that, without a doubt, has kept me from much grief:
You have an audience of One.
I was a firstborn parent pleaser who quickly turned into a people pleaser. On some level, most of us struggle with people pleasing. As a Bible teacher, the potential existed for me to “rate” myself based on how I perceived (usually faulty in itself) people liked or didn’t like what I taught and how I taught it. Ultimately, I cared a lot about whether they liked or didn’t like me.
Truly, it would have been a very destructive path. God knew it, and early on He addressed it. To this day, He continues to set me free from it:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
This call to an audience of One runs throughout Scripture:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23).
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (Ephesians 6:7).
While we do serve one another, called to do so humbly in love (Galatians 5:13), it is ultimately the Lord who we are serving. Whether you are changing diapers, washing dishes, taking classes or running a company, you have the incredible privilege of doing it for the Lord. As we let Him guide and empower us, everything we do can be unto and for His glory.
For me, this means seeking Him for what I am to teach or write. It means trusting Him to speak and work through it. And it means lifting up everything as an offering to Him — no matter how I feel. One huge benefit is consistent: it helps get the focus off me.
The reality and privilege of this truth far exceed any ministry role, family duty or job. It’s a statement of one of the most incredible gifts you’ve ever been given.
You have an audience with THE ONE, the one and only true God.
You can enter into His presence. We can stand before His throne of grace.
There is nowhere you can go from His presence — no place on earth and no depth of sin — that is beyond His reach. There is nothing you can do that will separate you from His love.
You have an audience of One. He is pleased with you! He delights in you! He needs nothing from you, but desires — above all else — to be in close relationship with you.
Today, take a step toward your loving heavenly Father by embracing Way #14 of 52 Ways to Glorify God:
Seek the Audience of One
Whatever you do, do it for Him, do it knowing you are standing — fully accepted and fully loved — by Him.
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