Sunday, April 5, 2009

Human Praise

Henri Nouwens devotional this morning says in part...
"Without deep roots we easily let others determine who we are. But as we cling to our popularity, we may lose our true sense of self. Our clinging to the opinion of others reveals how superficial we are. We have little to stand on. We have to be kept alive by adulation and praise. Those who are deeply rooted in the love of God can enjoy human praise without being attached to it."

It is not easy to look within our hearts and find superficiality. But, when it is faced, and it is seen for what it is, we can then begin the process of changing and growing in the love and the purposes of God for our lives. We begin to mature, become strong and find life that is richer than we could ever have imagined. We gain soundness emotionally because we are not dependent on the applause we desperately search for like a beggar searches for a crust of bread. Instead, we can discover who we really are, what we really think, what God wants us to do.
In that discovery, we become stronger in making decisions that are based on a deeper sense of our uniqueness as God's creation and fulfillment in the design of our being. Whether those decisions result in human praise or not, we are not then pushed and pulled around emotionally in a constant state of discontent but, instead, find peace and satisfaction in doing what we know was right for us now and for the future. There is a stability that results, deep roots that grow, as the result of taking responsibility for our decisions and the results of those decisions. And, this is where we really begin to wake up, grow up, and experience life!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Run, my friend...and FLY!

"You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win." - Zig Ziglar