Pleasing God over Pleasing People

Competition

One of the biggest challenges I have faced as a Christian athlete is the tension between seeking human approval and living to please God. Giving into the pressure to perform or saying what’s popular in an interview is seeking human approval. The temptation to focus on others' opinions is a real challenge. God’s Word speaks about this in 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.”

To be a servant of Christ means to seek God’s approval, not the approval of others. This means not finding our hope and identity in the approval of fans, family, or even coaches. These opinions matter, but God's perspective and approval matter more. Sadly, approval from others can come and go. Their approval may come from our performance or what we can do for them. But God’s approval of you as a child of God never changes!

God's love and approval for you are not based on what you do but on what Christ did on the cross. It was His "performance" that mattered. We are deeply loved, precious, and valuable because we are His children by God’s grace through faith. His care and mercy toward us does not change. Isn’t that the approval we all long to experience?

Each time I feel the pull to value others' approval over God, I need a reality check. I have to humble myself and ask, “Am I trying to glorify myself, or am I living to glorify God?” When I choose the latter, I find a peace that no worldly approval could ever provide. It’s not about seeking fame or validation; it’s about seeking and serving God in everything I do—on and off the track.

Application Questions:

• Are there ways you have prioritized the approval of others over God?
• How can you focus on God’s approval, even when it’s hard to go against the crowd?

Prayer:

“Father God, as I’m about to practice or compete, remind me that the only approval I need today is from You. Help me to take captive the thoughts of fear, worry, or rejection and replace them with who You say I am as your child. I ask that you help me to compete to my fullest potential because I am loved and have no fear of disappointing you in my results.”