Who are you trying to impress?  How important is gaining the approval of others to you?  Ouch!  If I’m truly honest with myself, I’d have to admit that I do try to impress and I do seek the approval of others.  I’m a “people person” and like to please people. When I catch myself being lured into this trap, I remind myself to focus on pleasing an audience of One.  What matters most, and in fact it’s the only thing that matters, is for Jesus to say: “Well done my good and faithful servant.” (Matt 25:21)

The Apostle Paul was instructing the believers in Ephesus about godly living, and he taught this principle to help them develop an “audience of One” perspective:

“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Ephesians 6:7 NLT)

In the Psalms, David expresses his desire to worship God and glorify Him through all that he does. Your perspective will gain focus if you simply acknowledge that God is doing great things all around you and you get to be a part of His work.  How might your work be different today if you started your day with this simple prayer of David’s?

“For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.  Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!  Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.  With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.  I will give glory to your name forever.” (Psalm 86:10-12)

Proclaim this with me as we begin our day:  “Today I will serve an audience of One”!

“Applause felt like approval, and it became a drug that soothed the pain, but only temporarily” ~ Anita Baker