The Facebook Like

"When I forget the gospel I become dependent on the smiles and evaluation of others."  Tim Keller

This one takes you aback.  It took me aback. I am a total affirmation person.  I like it when people "like" my status or Instagram pictures.  I for sure could never do a Christian Mingle or Match situation because I do think I would go crazy knowing that someone looked at my profile and failed to wink or smile or whatever at me.  And then I read this.

It's so very easy to get caught up in the affirmation of others and what they think.  I will always ask close friends what they think about a particular situation etc.  But I know this thought from Keller means so much more than the quick smile or like on Facebook.  My identity should not and is not wrapped up in the thoughts of others.  I know that I have struggled with that a good bit.  I've desperately wanted people to approve of me and my decisions.  Over the last year or so, God has been changing me and beating those things out of me.  Um. Let's say refining me.  That may be the more operative word there.  The gospel is God's acceptance and loving me despite any tarnished or damaged thing I do.  The gospel is His love for me despite any good or great thing I do.  The gospel is Christ laying down his life for me (and you) regardless of our abilities and despite our disabilities.  The gospel is His accepting me and my controlling freak out self.  The beauty of the gospel is that we do not have to rely on the acceptance and smiles and evaluations of others because we are chosen by God.  He is the One who chose me before the world was even formed, and He chose me to be his daughter.  He chose me to be the one He laid down His life for and stand in His righteousness.  Seriously.. why would we even want the smiles and evaluations of others when we have this! Ha. I may be just be preaching to myself, but it's a good sermon I'm hearing..

Ephesians 1:4-5 
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will...

Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.