Children have long sought the attention, audience, and approval of their parents… but like never before in my lifetime, and alarmingly, parents now seek their children’s.

And friends literally live for their friends.  (Or, in the comparatively new age of all things digital including Facebook, their “friends”.)

Students for teachers.  Mentees for mentors.  Congregants for pastors.

There’s not necessarily anything wrong with most of these (especially that last one – three cheers and heartfelt thanks to all of the pastors out there) … IF done with proper perspective, priority, and positioning.

Specifically, a position of humility and love, with the perspective that THE priority should always be the Lord and, inextricably linked, His Word.

Speaking of His Word and as you almost certainly know if you’re reading this on the BibleMemory.ORG website or social media page, I’m dedicating my life to memorizing the entire Bible so I can recite it BACK to the Lord as a very special love gift and “thank You” gift for all He does and who He is!  A gift not just from me but from and on behalf of everyone who supports this historic event in whatever ways they’re able.  (To borrow a phrase from the hymn, “What a day of rejoicing that will be” indeed!  For us but especially for Him, so fittingly, so deservingly.)

As I memorize entire books of the Bible, may He always be my Audience.

As I recite entire books of the Bible, may He always be my Audience.

As I teach entire books of the Bible, may He always be my Audience.

As I encourage and show love and share the Gospel with others, may He always be my Audience.

For He and He alone is worthy.

Of our attention.

Of our focus.

Of our reliance and dependence.

Of our pursuit of approval.

• “Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11, emphasis added)
• “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God…” (2 Timothy 2:15a, the Theme Verse of the magnificent AWANA ministry, emphasis added)

Parents, children, siblings, friends and “friends” and followers on social media, pastors, teachers, and mentors are fine and dandy… IF they are seen through the prism and – in our mind, emotions, time, and giving – kept under the umbrella  of the Lord.

May each of us live every day of our lives for, by, and to an Audience of One.

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