For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18
This verse, from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, ought to be simple for us. It seems, even away from its original context, to be self-explanatory. The approval of the Lord is more significant than that of human beings. Sure. No problem. Except it is neither easy nor obvious.
Concepts like this one are easy to intellectually grasp, but difficult to come to terms with, not because they are easier said than done, but because we grapple with making them part of our inner being. To see the favor of God over the esteem of humans, if you think of it as “easier said than done,” makes the idea an ideal, something to strive for but which we don’t really hope to attain. No, it is not about struggle, but becoming.
We accept that God’s authority is supreme, but we do not live this, usually because most of us do not see the conflicts between earthly and spiritual authority on a day to day basis. Now and then, we may run into situations where we feel we are forced to choose between doing God’s will over that of someone with the power to alter our lives. However, what I am talking about is the everyday “need” to commend ourselves to others around us.
We live in a culture where self-promotion seems to be necessary. If we do not toot our own horn, we think no one else will. We fear our supervisors won’t notice our contributions to the company. We assume no one will take our ideas or actions seriously. We are so scared, in a world where feelings and experiences are validated on social media, that absence of that validation equates to insignificance.
But what if we are not seen or praised or recommended by the people in our lives? Yes, it could mean that we don’t get a promotion or the respect of our peers. Perhaps our friends have not so much as forgotten us as neglected to remember who we are to them. It could mean a radical, painful change in life.
And that change could be an improvement in our relationship with God, contentment with His grace, and the Peace that passes understanding.
Holy Spirit, guide us into such love and devotion for you that we bask in your love and devotion to us. May we seek your face, o Lord, and accept that knowing You is all the approval we will ever need. In the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.
