Flying Purple People Pleaser

Do you remember that song from long ago (showing my age here) about the one-eyed one horn flying purple people eater?  There really isn't anything that great about the song except that, as a kid, its fun to say one-eyed one horn flying purple people eater :-)  I found some awesome pics of these mythical creatures, but being as they have horns and eat people they all looked pretty demonic and I didn't think it necessary to post that kind of pic.  Just use your imagination!

Anyway, I was studying Galatians with my Ironmen lifegroup and when I came to Galatians 1:10,  I stopped to think....here is what the verse says:

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. (NLT)

Most believers know, or at least have been taught, that to be a follower of Christ is to stand out from the world.  What I mean is, most people know believers are supposed to be different in some way than those who do not yet believe that Jesus is the risen savior.  But is it obvious to everyone that you serve Christ?  Paul says, "OBVIOUSLY, Im not trying to win the approval of people, but of God".

People pleasing, aka fear of man, used to be such a problem for me.  I was a flying purple people pleaser.  As an insurance agent, I thought I needed to please everyone.  If someone got mad at me, they might move their business elsewhere and I would lose that income and referral source.  To some extent, I did need to try my best to take care of my customers, but it was my motives that I needed to watch.  Pleasing the customer should not be my motive as a follower of Christ, but pleasing God should.  It just so happens that treating people with love, honor, and respect is pleasing to God.

When I became a pastor, I found it easy to slip into people pleasing mode because there is nothing worse than having people at your church mad at you.  I dreaded emails that had subjects like "some thoughts" or "concerns".  I knew right away what those emails contained, and right away fear would come over me!  Why was I afraid? Because I was worried about what they thought of me.  I wanted to please them, and I wanted to avoid conflict.  Paul's words resonate with me more now than ever.  I am not to please man, but to please God and it should be OBVIOUS.  That doesn't mean to treat people harshly.  That would not please God.  It does mean to stand on the truth of God's Word even if it offends someone.  You see, God's Word does not need to be defended.  It stands on its own, and it sharper than any two-edged sword and can take out any sort of flying purple people eaters!  May it be obvious in your life that you are a servant of Christ!

Which kind of wisdom do you have?

This picture reminds me so much of my son who is 6.  His child-like faith amazes me at times.  Just the other day he was asking me some questions, and apparently one of my answers communicated some fear or frustration on my part.  He immediately spoke up and said, "Dad, why dont you just pray about it and trust God silly."  I was like SNAP!  I could not even remember what I said, but I could sense the same feeling of insecurity that my son could obviously sense as well.  My response was to try to fix it myself and use my knowledge or "wisdom", but his response was to trust God.  He is such an awesome young man and full of faith!

It got me thinking about Jesus' remarks about child-like faith.  In Luke chapter 10, Jesus has sent out his disciples to preach the Good News, heal the sick, cast out demons, etc.  They returned to him rejoicing that "even the demons obey us when we use your name Lord."  Jesus said "yes", and continues to explain the authority he has given his disciples.  Then he reminds them to not get a big ego about this authority and power, but rather rejoice that their names are written in heaven.

Then the best part comes at the end.  What Jesus has told them about their authority and power is awesome....to many it would have seemed outrageous!  Then Jesus was filled with joy from the Spirit of God and he prayed to God thanking Him that He has hidden these things from those who think they are wise, and only revealed them to those with child-like faith.  It pleased God to do it this way!

17When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

18“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!19Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

21At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

Lord we receive your Word like a child.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for your Spirit.  Thank you for your love and grace.  Amen.

Formula for confidence

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. (Colossians 1:3-5 NLT)

The expectation, or confident hope, that these believers had came only after they heard the Good News. You can't succeed on your own. Jesus is the Good News, and with Him all things are possible! If you are a believer, you should expect to succeed. It's part of Gods plan for you. If you are not succeeding, it may be because you don't have the faith, or expectation, that you will. If you have not heard or received the Good News and have questions, just leave me a comment below and I would love to share with you how you can have the same confident hope that I have! Have a super blessed day.