Jeff texted me this this morning:
We can authentically love people when we’re not in slavery to their approval.
Amen! This is a toughy for me. I’m such a people pleaser. And it’s selfish pride that’s behind it, wanting to do what makes people happy so that they are pleased…with me! It’s all a selfish motivation. How freeing when we can love people for their sake, with perfect love that casts out all fear, when thought of approval or acceptance no longer is the driving force, but pure overflowing love. I feel like so much of my love is stained, marred, mashed by my selfishness getting in the way. I pray for us today for the grace to move beyond the slavery of other’s approval, into the authentic love of Christ. I think that will get the attention of a watching world who desperately needs Jesus.