Long ago, a friend of mine narrated how his then
7 year-old son, while performing on-stage for the first time, seemed to be
glancing at his direction. At first, he did not pay much attention to it and
just continued watching the play as it unfolded. But his son’s glances
persisted and it finally dawned on him that his son was actually seeking for
any sign of approval from him. His son, feeling shy and scared at every turn of
the play, was seeking for his approval and encouragement. And so my friend started
doing what he reluctantly should have done since the play began. He smiled,
nodded, winked his eye and make the thumb-up gesture every time his son glanced
at him. From thereon, his son became more confident and played his part better.
Seeking approval is normal and is part of our everyday lives.
Driving on any road entails license from LTO.
Putting up business necessitates DTI or SEC certification, amongst other inter-connected
government agencies. Food and drug manufacturers seeks BFAD endorsement. Incoming
shipment requires BOC approval. Electrical appliances needs BPS mark. Overseas flight
involves DFA nod to travel. A legal police raid requires a judicial court’s consent.
Even a student does request a mam-may-I-go-out permission before leaving the
classroom.
Any approval gives us the confidence to proceed
with our plans, that what we are doing is right and without fear from any repercussion.
In our daily spiritual walk, it is quite understandable
that we also seek approval for our thoughts and actions. But the important
question that should guide us is - to whom do we seek this approval from? In
this modern times, when good friends and even close family, relatives and
spouses (as in the cases of the OFW diaspora) , have become easily updatable
via social media like Facebook, Twitter and the like, the deep and close
inter-personal relationship is slowly being replaced by a simple “like” button.
For some of us, we do have spiritual counselors and pastors who can walk us
through with our life decisions but this is a such rarity nowadays. Peer groups,
oftentimes, offer little substance to any discussions about life, love and righteous
living. The information highway brought about by the age of internet has
actually contributed to more conflicting, contrasting and confusing ideas that
either blur or totally obfuscate our core Christian beliefs (e.g. there are findings that life allegedly
begins only at the 22nd week of conception or that there is supposedly
a “gay” genome already found).
Sometimes, we do feel like we are alone and we walk
alone in life.
We want to be encouraged.
We seek approval.
Take courage though because God has assured us
that He will always be with us no matter what.
In Proverbs 15:3, it is said, “The Lord sees
what happens everywhere, He is watching us, whether we do good or evil.”
And in Psalm 33:5, as we take refuge with His approval
for our perseverance, it says, ” The Lord loves what is
righteous and just; His constant love fills the earth.”
And so, our declaration and our attitude should
be similar to St. Peter when most of Jesus’ followers started to leave upon
presented with the mystery of the transubstantiation – “Master, to whom shall we
go? You have the words of eternal life”, he replied when asked by Jesus.
Knowing and believing that only God can be the
source of true guidance and encouragement, we need not look further for other basis
of approval.
In Him alone is our source of strength.
God bless us.
