Accepted [ak-sep-tid]
adjective
generally approved; usually regarded as normal, right, etc.
We all want to be accepted.
I mean, really, let's be honest with each other, who doesn't?
But ...
There's a point where it can become something we worry about WAY too much!
It can become something that consumes us.
Something that consumes us and makes us do things for ourselves, so people notice us or think we're cool ...
or pretty
or nice
or sporty ...
You get the picture.
We begin to seek our own glory to be accepted.
But really,
I mean think about this ...
Shouldn't we feel accepted?
I mean seriously people, we are sons & daughters of the One who created the whole world!
The One who gave us our first breath!
The One who made the stars and the planets!
The One who sits in heaven right now being praised by angels!
The One who has a perfect plan for each and every one of us ... a plan for HIS GLORY!
Hallelujah!
Is that not enough to make you feel like you have meaning?
Is that not enough to make you feel like you have worth?
Is that not enough to make you feel accepted?
I wish I could answer those questions with a whole-hearted "yes" myself, but I'll be honest with you, I know I care way too much about how others see me.
I'm a cheerleader ...
I've been cheering since 7th grade
I can do a round-off back-handspring & a back tuck
I can fly stunts pretty well
& my jumps are pretty good ...
But the point is ...
I begin to use these things for self-glorification ...
I want to be accepted ...
Sadly, I want people to notice my abilities & not for the right reasons ...
I sin & don't give full glory to God for the talents he has given me!
It's a fine balance ...
You can use the talents God gave you to live in community & unity with others & enjoy them because God has blessed you with this talent.
However,
Your motives are key.
A subtle sway from maximizing your talents to bringing glory to yourself can occur really easily. Satan is crafty and cunning. Our views can be manipulated on what is bringing glory to God and what is bringing glory to ourselves.
Jesus is an example of not being swayed.
JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, CAME TO EARTH & ONLY GAVE GLORY TO HIS FATHER! EVEN WHEN HE DID HIS AMAZING MIRACLES!
For example, look at Jesus when He fed the 5,000!
"After performing a great miracle like the feeding of the five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish, the Lord Jesus did not "linger in His success" neither did He try to emphasize some things about this success -- He went up to the mountain privately to pray to the Father (Matt. 14:23; Luke 6:12). He sought the glory from the Father and He did everything one with the Father.
We need to learn from Him and deny ourselves, our purpose, and our ambition, seeking only God's will and God's glory. "
Article from: http://www.agodman.com/blog/not-seeking-our-own-glory-but-gods-glory-by-spending-time-privately-with-him/
Jesus didn't need acceptance from others.
He found His worth in pleasing & giving glory to His Father.
Self, purpose, and ambition really are like three snakes or scorpions.
These things can become things we want to use for ourselves.
They can be so deadly ...
Deadly in our relationships with our family,
With our friends,
And most importantly, they can be deadly in our relationship with Christ.
This is a good metaphor to keep in mind. We need to remind ourselves that we are here for serving God & His glory, and for His glory ONLY.
We have to deny ourselves, our ambitions, and what we believe is our purpose.
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
† Jesus, help us to remember to do everything for you. Please help us to remember that our worth & meaning is found in you. Remind us to live out Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Amen.
COMMENT: WHAT HIT HOME WITH YOU? LET ME KNOW!:)
or pretty
or nice
or sporty ...
You get the picture.
We begin to seek our own glory to be accepted.
But really,
I mean think about this ...
Shouldn't we feel accepted?
I mean seriously people, we are sons & daughters of the One who created the whole world!
The One who gave us our first breath!
The One who made the stars and the planets!
The One who sits in heaven right now being praised by angels!
The One who has a perfect plan for each and every one of us ... a plan for HIS GLORY!
Hallelujah!
Is that not enough to make you feel like you have meaning?
Is that not enough to make you feel like you have worth?
Is that not enough to make you feel accepted?
I wish I could answer those questions with a whole-hearted "yes" myself, but I'll be honest with you, I know I care way too much about how others see me.
I'm a cheerleader ...
I've been cheering since 7th grade
I can do a round-off back-handspring & a back tuck
I can fly stunts pretty well
& my jumps are pretty good ...
But the point is ...
I begin to use these things for self-glorification ...
I want to be accepted ...
Sadly, I want people to notice my abilities & not for the right reasons ...
I sin & don't give full glory to God for the talents he has given me!
It's a fine balance ...
You can use the talents God gave you to live in community & unity with others & enjoy them because God has blessed you with this talent.
However,
Your motives are key.
A subtle sway from maximizing your talents to bringing glory to yourself can occur really easily. Satan is crafty and cunning. Our views can be manipulated on what is bringing glory to God and what is bringing glory to ourselves.
Jesus is an example of not being swayed.
JESUS, THE SON OF GOD, CAME TO EARTH & ONLY GAVE GLORY TO HIS FATHER! EVEN WHEN HE DID HIS AMAZING MIRACLES!
For example, look at Jesus when He fed the 5,000!
"After performing a great miracle like the feeding of the five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish, the Lord Jesus did not "linger in His success" neither did He try to emphasize some things about this success -- He went up to the mountain privately to pray to the Father (Matt. 14:23; Luke 6:12). He sought the glory from the Father and He did everything one with the Father.
We need to learn from Him and deny ourselves, our purpose, and our ambition, seeking only God's will and God's glory. "
Article from: http://www.agodman.com/blog/not-seeking-our-own-glory-but-gods-glory-by-spending-time-privately-with-him/
Jesus didn't need acceptance from others.
He found His worth in pleasing & giving glory to His Father.
We should not have our own purpose; instead, we should have only the Lord’s will. We all have to learn of these three things: no self, no purpose, and no ambition. We should only know to labor, to work for Him, by denying our self, rejecting our purpose, and giving up our ambition. Self, purpose, and ambition are like three snakes or scorpions in us. We must learn to hate them. (The God-Man Living, by brother Lee).
Self, purpose, and ambition really are like three snakes or scorpions.
These things can become things we want to use for ourselves.
They can be so deadly ...
Deadly in our relationships with our family,
With our friends,
And most importantly, they can be deadly in our relationship with Christ.
This is a good metaphor to keep in mind. We need to remind ourselves that we are here for serving God & His glory, and for His glory ONLY.
We have to deny ourselves, our ambitions, and what we believe is our purpose.
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
† Jesus, help us to remember to do everything for you. Please help us to remember that our worth & meaning is found in you. Remind us to live out Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Amen.
COMMENT: WHAT HIT HOME WITH YOU? LET ME KNOW!:)
I like how you put in perspective that Christ being the creator of the universe accepts us just as we are right now. He loves us in our own skin and we don't have to change for him one bit!! It was a great reminder for me! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe all need this reminder as it is so easy to get caught up in ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you for admitting your sin and wanting to change. It is not always easy to reveal and confess our sins.
I will be praying for you.
I love you and am blessed God chose me to be your mom!
These words are very mature and insightful for such a young person. I know of some older Christians that still struggle with the acceptance of others without realizing the great sacrifice Jesus made for them, just them. How awesome is that? This exhortation is a great reminder to all of us that claim jesus as Lord and Savior!!! We have been accepted as the children of the Most High and for that I am so grateful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder Hannah, I need it too.
Hannah you are a shinning example of how Jesus wants us to keep our hearts and minds in check with His Word and Will for us. It is not always easy as our everyday lives seem to distract us so. You have found the miracle of His great love for us and your desire to please Him will take you to many mountain tops. Thank you Jesus for having and keeping Hannah's sweet heart.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder, Hannah, I'm very glad to have the ability to know you and learn from you. You did a very good job with everything.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good reminder to me of how we don't need acceptance from the world, but Christ. Also that our motives are key! Nice!
ReplyDeleteYou giving your experience with what you are explaining helps us see what we do in our life that is like what you went through.
ReplyDeleteWOW! really opened up my view on somethings, mainly just how I personally want to be accepted and when I'm not I blame God for not giving me those certain things that would allow me to be accepted! If that makes sense. So thank you for that reminder hannah!
ReplyDeleteRenee Pulver - I love the thought of acceptance. I believe we can really all relate to what you said. With all the talents God has given us we really do look at those to give us attention! But really we should be looking to God and thanking him for what he has given us. This blog is great:)
ReplyDeleteIt was good that you provided verses from the bible to support what you said. I think all of us can agree that we want to be accepted. Good job.
ReplyDelete-Logan N.
mo
ReplyDeleteyes motives has to do with it too its all bout the heart and mind set you have.
"We need to remind ourselves that we are here for serving God & His glory, and for His glory ONLY." This is so true and I often forget about that!! Great reminder! I also love that you pointed out where you struggle because it reminds me that we all sin and fall short of Gods grace and love!
ReplyDeleteGood job.. I like how you came out and said that we all want to be accepted. It was kind of a reality check, and I also like how you related it to your own life.
ReplyDelete~Jackie
Rebecca Kanpol..
ReplyDeleteThis is a good reminder on how we don't need acceptance from the world, but from Christ!. I love that you said where you struggle,because it made me think of where I fall short of Gods grace, love, and compassion!
This is a tough subject for everyone because we all fall short in this way. We're only human, after all. The media is always telling us that acceptance comes from our beauty and our worth comes from our worldly abilities like sports and academics. We always need the vital reminder that we have already been accepted and loved by someOne who matters SO much more than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteAll of this is very true! I also like how you used your own personal experience as an example. What people think of you today won't matter in the future, all that matters is the acceptance of God.
ReplyDelete-Madison
What "hit home" with me was the part about seeking your own glory to be accepted. Reflecting back, I've done this many times too. I've purposely used my talents to try to impress someone and make them like me, which was a sin. Luckily though, it's never too late to repent and give glory where glory is due: Christ. -Emily Thayer
ReplyDeleteWow... this entry is so true. Acceptance is something so highly desired by almost everyone, but why do we desire it when we're already accepted by God Almighty? I feel like in our desire for acceptance is where the self-glorifying begins. We choose the things we can do to gain acceptance and in doing so glorify ourselves. It's awesome that you were so transparent in sharing about your experience, because it's such a real thing, and I know every person struggles in some way with similar situations. Way to turn it back to God!
ReplyDeleteWow Hannah, what you said on this was simply amazing. I know where you're coming from, everyone wants to hang out with the "popular" crowd, or know that people actually look at them. But sometimes that isn't always the case, and I liked how you worded that. I'm sure many of us can relate to your story, including me!
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about being accepted is so true! Especially in high school where being "cool" is so important. I think instead of looking for acceptance in our talents we should look for it in the One who gave us those talents! Well, done Hannah!
ReplyDeleteAcceptance is something that everyone wants, we all want to feel like people like us, this is something that I personally struggle with. I want everyone to like me and when they don't I get upset, but I know that God is always going to love and accept me.
ReplyDeleteJulia Robison
The emphasis on the importance of motives is very good. Good or bad ones can have an effect on the goal.
ReplyDeleteI like the topic of people pleasing because everyone struggles with it.. We wall want people to like us and think well of us but when it comes down to it, Gods opinion of us is the only thing that matters.
ReplyDeleteI like that this talks about how we need to serve him, and live for him. I love how this says that he is the only thing that matters in this world, and we get to caught up in other stuff. I loved that is said about how Jesus gave glory to God and not himself, because I never knew that before. It was a great thing I just heard from this blog, and it really is cool, how he would not glorify himself, but he would glorify God for the miracles performed.
ReplyDeletePraise God that we're not judged ultimately by what others think of us, but that we're accepted because of what Christ did for us. In sending his son to die on the cross for our sins he made so that we can be accepted by him and have a right relationship with him.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. We need to focus on God and not ourselves. We should be looking to please God and not ourselves.
ReplyDelete-Tim
This is a such a good reminder of how God accepts us of who we are, and that we should just find our self worth in Him, not in other things of this world. I also like that you point out that God is the only one we need to be concerned about and not if were popular enough or not. Great reminder, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAlli Joy
Wow! Amazing reminder that we are worth it all. Christ created us in His vision, and we are perfect to HIm. With that said, acceptance from the world should mean nothing to us. I know I struggle a lot with caring about my image towards others, but I always think about how it doesn't matter if the world doesn't accept me, because like you said God created me and all I need is His acceptance.
ReplyDelete- Barbara
i really like how you made a point to say that everybody wants to be accepted.And that we need to have good motives.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you are addressing this. I feel like going to a Christian school this happens a lot. It's really good that you remind us to do things for the glory of God.
ReplyDelete-Gabby
Ryan Mitchell - I am so glad you discussed this topic, because I feel that every teenager try to be accepted in whatever group they can. All we want to do is be part of something and be accepted and I know I struggle with this a lot. I act a certain way with my different so they like me and I don't act like myself; which is not what god wants us to do.
ReplyDelete