Approval Ratings

While standing in an airport security line, I noticed a seeing-eye dog in the midst of the crowd. It was a German shepherd, strapped into a leather harness. The dog's owner moved slowly through the line, calm though unable to see. He removed his shoes, put his carry-on bags onto the conveyor belt, and showed the attendant his boarding pass.

The room was filled with loud noises, strange scents, and a hundred other distractions, but the dog stood calmly at attention, his ears flat against his head listening for his master's instructions—completely focused on his master's wishes. As soon as the man walked through the x-ray machine and received clearance from the attendant, he snapped his fingers once and the dog immediately loped through the machine to rejoin his master.

I watched with quiet admiration, for such loyalty and discipline are rare among animals or humans. In a noisy world where competing masters clamor for our attention, whose approval do we seek? Whose voice do we hear and obey? It's tempting to choose popularity over principle, like the nervous crowd in Jesus' day who refused to go public with their faith because they "loved praise from men more than praise from God" (John 12:43).

We shake our heads disapprovingly when politicians use polls and approval ratings to shape their policies, but many of us really aren't much different. We go through life seeking approval and basing our self-worth on the opinions of others. We become people-pleasers and spiritual chameleons, blending uncritically with the culture around us and forfeiting our distinctive role as salt and light.

Have you ever compromised your true self in order to fit in? Have you ever betrayed your convictions by laughing at a racist comment or a sexist joke because you didn't have the courage to stand alone? Have you ever caved in to a popular theological concept even though it contradicts sound biblical doctrine? Have you ever known a believer who was led astray because he sought the approval of an influential religious leader? Have you ever seen a congregation dominated by politics and power struggles where leaders ask, "What do the people want?" instead of "What is the Lord's will?"

People-pleasing is a frustrating goal, and ultimately impossible. We can't make everyone happy. In the heavenly Father's eyes, Jesus Christ has a 100 percent approval rating, but even he didn't please everyone during his ministry. In spite of criticism, misunderstanding, and suffering at the hands of his enemies, he remained focused on his mission. It was enough for him to hear the Father's words ringing in his ears: "You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

The Lord himself is the one we should be most concerned about pleasing. His grace makes up for all our personality flaws and makes it possible for us to be approved by God. Forgiven and loved despite our sin, in Christ we find the freedom to accept ourselves and be ourselves. In the final analysis, his approval rating is the only one that matters. That's why the apostle Paul said, "We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We were not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Released from the endless cycle of approval-seeking, we are free to seek God's kingdom first, love him most of all, and live by our convictions no matter what.

The sight-impaired man, it turns out, was on my flight. When I boarded the plane he was already seated, with the seeing-eye dog lying peacefully at his feet. The dog was simply doing his duty: seeking his master's approval above all else. I must be blind if I don't do the same.