The Validation of Man is Overrated

I recently read a secular blog post written from a business perspective called “Validation is Overrated”. This blog post stopped me in my tracks and made me think about the meaning of this from a Christian point of view. So I came up with the following statement “Validation by man is overrated. Find out what God says about you and you won’t crave the validation of man.”

We do need validation but not from man. We often crave the approval of others and base our entire existence on what others think about us. But in the end, no matter who or how many people approve us, we are left craving more? Why? Because the only one that can really validate us is God.

There is so much to be said on this topic from understanding how God accepts us to how He loves us unconditionally. We can’t earn or perform well enough to gain His love. In our performance based world it can be hard for us to accept the absolute fact that God just simply loves us. If we are in Christ we are valid as children of God. The Father accepts us.

But I want to take a different angle in this article. I want to approach validation from the perspective of God releasing His creative power through your life.

The following statements are from the blog post I referenced above written by Seth Godwin. These statements were written to a secular business audience and not Christians. However, the moment I read them God spoke to me.

“If you’re waiting for a boss or an editor or a college to tell you that you do good work, you’re handing over too much power to someone who doesn’t care nearly as much as you do.”

“If you have a book to write, write it. If you want to record an album, record it. No need to wait for someone in a cubicle halfway across the country to decide if you’re worthy.”

How often are we held back waiting for man to tell us we can do it. We often live in the shadows of spiritual mediocrity never fulfilling the potential God has for us because ‘poor me’ no one ever encouraged me that I could, ‘sniffle’. I can’t do it because ‘insert tears here’ no one believes in me. I am not trying to be condescending but we must get our validation from God not man.

We can be held captive by our insecurities that are rooted in what others think about us. But the reality is man’s opinion and even our own opinion of what we are capable of doing don’t matter. The only validation that matters is from God.

God chose David but no one else even considered it was possible.

“Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 1 Samuel 16:8-12

They did not even invite David. He was left out in the pastures tending sheep. The possibility never entered into the minds of His family, after all he was the youngest and his older brothers were much more qualified. But God chose and validated him.

If we wait for the system or someone to tell us we can, most likely we never will. If God has put something in your heart but no one thinks you are capable, who cares. Maybe you are not even sure you can do it, so what. But wait a second I am not in the “inner circle”, forget about the inner circle. Write that book or song, start that ministry, witness to that neighbor, do that mission etc.. If God put something inside you, He has already validated you to do it.

1. 

   Charles Moore says:

   July 7, 2010 at 12:33 am

   Very good. Very good. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies those He calls. Sometimes a good saying is worth repeating, even if I didn’t come up with it. We need to answer those calls, too many christians are sitting on the sidelines watching the game go by. Be encouraged, get into the game. Get dirty, get knocked around a little, get a little blood on your jersey, it’s not going to kill you and you just might end up being the one that God uses to save some elses life. And that’s what they call a touch down in the game of eternal life. Amen.
2. 

   Shane Harris says:

   July 7, 2010 at 9:35 am

   Right on Charles
3. 

   Mitch Stroda says:

   July 8, 2010 at 9:27 am

   You hit it out of the park Shane.
   Good word.
4. 

   Shane Harris says:

   July 8, 2010 at 5:00 pm

   Thank you Mitch.
5. 

   James Sullivan says:

   July 9, 2010 at 7:26 pm

   Shane

   Thanks for this one. A very excellent reminder of the fact that Jesus is our good sheperd and he is the one who leads us into green pastures. Blessings to you and family ! Don’t weary in well doing !

   James from Palestine Texas