Who Are You Trying To Impress?

We do so many things simply to impress others. There is always, it seems, a temptation to prove yourself to others and impress them. To prove that we are better, stronger, smarter, better equipped, and wealthier. This tendency and need to impress and prove yourself starts early in life and is a result of not knowing who we are in Christ and thus not finding our sense of value and worth in Him. True freedom from having to impress others and prove yourself better or superior than others only comes when you realize that you actually have nothing to prove to anyone, because in Christ, God fully approves of you.

This, of course, assumes that you have more than a born again religion – and actually have a personal relationship with Christ that is the true foundation of any experience of personal salvation. Then we have security within this relation and confidence in who He has created and equipped us to be and become. This arises out of our assurance of His unconditional love … love with no strings attached. A love that never changes regardless of what we are doing or how we are feeling. This deep assurance leads to a confidence in Him and in who He created us to be. This confidence gives us a boldness to live life without having to impress others and having to prove we have whatever it takes.

What are you trying to prove? To whom? Why?

Trying to prove anything to anyone is a waste of time. That’s a bold statement, but it is true. If the people you are out to impress already love you, then it is a waste of time because you are already valued and accepted by them. And if they don’t love you, then it is a waste of time, because even if you win their approval, what have you gained? If their love is something that you have to earn, they don’t really love you. Their “love” lacks any sense of value or worth.

But, there is a pressure to live up to other people’s arbitrary and often unexpressed expectations and standards. Right? How do you get rid of this natural tendency to play to the expectations of others? Simply by knowing that God loves you for who you are right now and that you don’t need to impress anyone … Instead, you need to just be who God created you to be and be the best you that you can be for Him. Play to an audience of One.

Recently a pastor commented: “Recently God gave me a thought that was so liberating. As I was preparing to minister to a group of people, worrying about how I would come across and if I would live up to their ideals, it was as if the Lord said to me: “I didn’t bring you here to meet their expectations. I brought you here to be My expression.” That expressed what I was feeling…

Our only goal, no matter what we are doing, is to be a faithful reflection of His image in us. That is all we can do. And that’s enough.

So, don’t try to prove your superiority or show off your abilities. Stop trying to impress others. Simply be yourself and reflect Jesus who lives in you.