Either Or

Galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

I want to be a servant of Christ, but this passage makes it clear that it is not possible to be a servant of Christ while still trying to please men. Wow. I know being a people-pleaser is not a good thing, but I hadn't seen it as being in direct competition with my ability to serve Christ until this morning.

I think this realization will help me when as I look for opportunities to share my faith. Holding back in conversation is a means of trying to please people and that holds me back from being a true servant of Christ.

"God, You know how much I am struggling with proclaiming the Gospel to those around me. Thank you for showing me what's really at stake. I want to serve You, and my fear of people is keeping me from doing that adequately. I come before you too weak to do this on my own. But I know from 2 Cor. 12:10 that "when I am weak I am strong" in You. Empower me to be the man I need to be for Your glory. Amen."