“If like me you were blessed by God with parents who celebrated your wins and encouraged your pursuits, then you understand how important this question is. One of the sharpest differences between life before and after my parents exit from earth is this. All of a sudden it became painfully clear and immediately apparent that I had lost my cheerleaders and supporters. Since then, only GOD has stepped up and filled that void. I’m glad and grateful I don’t have to go out into the world with a gaping hole from being without a team of persons cheering me on. If unlike me you’ve never had people who celebrate you I can honestly say that I can now empathize with you. There was a period between loosing mine and leaning fully into God where the absence of such a powerful and integral force for life became glaring. I finally understood and appreciated the importance of having it. What used to be trivialized by me is now intentionally appreciated even though I no longer seek it from primarily from people.
In fact I’ve learned not to expect it anymore and that alone has been very freeing. What affirmation and support people choose to give is entirely up to them. It’s perceived and received no longer as a necessity but as an appreciated addition. I appreciate when it is given but operate from a pre-established state of contentment in the applause and affirmations of GOD. When you stop needed and wanting others to clap for you and you let God’s approval be the center point of your longing for recognition, you’ve won. It’s made me uber conscious of who it is that’s actually pleased with my living.
If you’re living a life where only satan would be clapping for you, then you’re doomed. If people are clapping for you, you’re often in an insecure state because conscesions have probably had to be made. This usually means you might need to brace yourself cos men’s applause are usually fickle and so can just as easily turn one you and that’s not even considering those who would try to use their applause as a means of controlling you. Men will go from hosanna to crucify Him in a matter of days. That’s why Jesus never trusted man’s heart and neither should you. And then there’s GOD. He who promises you His presence and support and can never lie. Now THAT’s a heart worth trusting. Nothing beats the joy of knowing that GOD is proudly clapping for you. If He is, you’re safe. You’ve won.
Frankly, living for God’s daily approval, that’s the way to keep winning mini battles everyday along the way to the grand win of the war that is life on earth. Is GOD proud of me? Is a question to ask oneself everyday spin crucial moments. Why did I share this video of sodom and gomorrah? Before you get to a society that triggers a response like fire and brimstone from heaven from God, everyone had failed for a long time at bothering to check themselves by asking ‘who is clapping of me on this thing that I’m doing?’
Sin rarely happens in a vacuum. There’s a reason GOD demanded His people separate themselves from the nations around them. He said it over and over throughout scripture. Immoral culture is contagious. Corporately and individually. A nation can influence another into sin and a person and do the same to another person. The scale is irrelevant but the truth remains evil corrupts by proximity over time. Your surroundings matter for this very reason. Your friendships and relationships matter because of this too. I want GOD to be proud of me. Not just at the end of our time on earth but right now, everyday. So I implore you to stop and ask yourself often, WHO IS CLAPPING FOR ME RIGHT NOW?. If you ask now, chances are you won’t have to get to the end of your life and find that you’re filled with regret. Check now, dance later. Goof off now and cry then.”
h
2 “The nations will see your vindication,
Bible – Isaiah 62:2-4
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah,[a]
and your land Beulah[b];
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.”
Checking in real time.
