I was looking through my notebook yesterday and found this little piece from a while back…
It seems our modern culture has built the individual to sustain himself off the praise of man. Our society puts an emphasis on praising men and their deeds, even if the deeds are not worthy of praise. We have become a flattering people whose tongues are eager to please at the cost of falsity. And we become so accustomed to hearing such praise that subconciously we begin to feed off of it. It is a dangerous thing to live off of the praise and reassurance of men and not off of the sustenance provided for us through the Holy Ghost. We must derive our strength from the power and love of God, and no other man. People may say that you should not become detached from the world. But God will vindicate. We are not set on earth to judge but to be vessels and servants of God. Our purpose is the will and the work of God, not to please others. If the very reason of our existence is for God, should we not draw our sustenance and strength from God? Should not God be our everything; our breath of life; our joy; our hope? Let us not, then, look to men but to God. And let us not draw our strength from frail humans. Do not live on the false praise of men, but on the true praise of God.
I like that. It’s a good thing to be reminded of *who* we are living for, and working for. Of course, positive [and well-deserved] encouragement is a good thing – but we shouldn’t live and work only for that. How are you doing? It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve “talked” to you. Since Latin 2 actually…anyway – I hope your family is well.
God bless!
Sarah H.