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<v SPEAKER_00>There's a particular exhaustion that comes from living for everyone's approval.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Reading the room, managing impressions, replaying conversations to check whether everyone is still happy with you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's a weight that never quite settles down.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul knew the burden of it and he names it head on.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In Galatians 1:10, he asks this pointed question: Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or am I trying to please people?

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<v SPEAKER_00>If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul lays two audiences side by side, people and God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And he is direct in saying that you cannot ultimately serve both.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Chase everyone's approval, and sooner or later you'll shift who God made you to be in order to keep it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But there is freedom hiding in his question.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because if you belong to God, his approval of you is already settled.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You are not auditioning for it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You get to live for an audience of one and let the rest of the room go.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let's begin by thanking God that his approval isn't up for a vote.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thank him that in Christ, he already accepts you fully today before you've performed for anyone.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And thank him that you don't have to earn from him what he has already freely given.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Name the people whose opinion has had too much power over you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Tell him where the fear of disappointing someone has pulled you away from who he made you to be.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And ask him to loosen that grip and to turn your eyes back to the only audience that matters.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Picture the crowded room going quiet and just one face left looking at you with approval.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let this be your prayer.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I live for an audience of one.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Your approval is already mine, so I can let the rest go.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ask God to remind them again and again whose opinion actually decides their worth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You are the only audience we need.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In your name.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.