I like it when others like me. Don’t you?

I think we all do.  Then there are those who do whatever it takes to get others to like them.  We are called approval addicts. And for all of us who struggle with this, we know what a dangerous road it takes us down.

Our self-worth and happiness are based on how others feel about us.  So, we end up living for others, we end up never fulfilling our unique purpose, we even lie and manipulate to make others like us, and at the end of the day we feel exhausted.  It’s like we are a ping pong ball hit back and forth by people’s approval or disapproval. So glad I’ve never wrestled with this. (kidding of course!)

But Jesus says something in his prayer recorded in John 17 that rocked my world a few years ago. Take a look at this:

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23

Did you catch that?  Jesus says to his Father…. “You love them as much as you love me.”  

That’s right.  Before you were born, before you did anything worthwhile, before you could use your charm to coerce His affection, God loved you and as much as He loved and loves His Son.

And it’s also true that even though you’ve sinned, even though you’ve disappointed him and others, even though you’ve made a mess of your life, He loves you as much as he loves his perfect Son.

There is nothing you can do to make him love you more… Or less. So, relax today. You have his approval.  And when you have the Creator’s approval, who cares what the created ones think. 

Today, live knowing God loves you as much as He loves Jesus.