When was the last time we looked into the mirror and said, “I am the apple of God’s eye” and know that we are loved by God. How often do we get affected by how someone views us? The someone could be our spouse, family member, friend, colleague or even boss.
I am the first to admit - that I feel upset knowing that someone is disinterested in me. I often think who I am living for, is it not enough for The One to applaud for us? Why are we chasing after everyone’s applause and acceptance?
I believe it is our innate nature to yearn to be accepted.
When we were young, we did cute acts to get the applause of our parents. When we were schooling, we studied hard to get good grades so we can receive praise, awards and recognition from our school and family. When we started working, we laboured to get fantastic results to please our employers.
At every stage of our lives, there will be someone whom we want to impress.
Pleasing who?
Have we ever thought about who we should actually please? Galatians chapter 1, verse 10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Have we also thought about who cares about us pleasing Him and would actually reward us with the act? Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6, “For without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.”
Our feelings
There were various times I experienced people treating me as if I did not exist. The person would actually treat my friends really well and be really cold to me. She was only nice when she needed a favour from me.
There were also times which my classmates could not be bothered to talk to me without any reason. It was a nasty feeling and I could not remember how many times I broke down because of this.
It made me question my self worth and I definitely tried to talk, dress or even behave like them so they would notice me. But guess what? None of these worked! In fact, I felt worse about myself.
A quote goes, “Sometimes we waste too much time thinking about someone who does not even think about us for a second.”
Harsh as it sounds, many a times we do spend too much time analysing how we can make someone like us, instead of investing time in people who genuinely love us. I am not proposing that we should not learn to love and forgive even if we feel that they are not meant to be loved. But we should definitely renew our minds and not be bitter over unfair treatment.
Promotion comes from God
When God created us, He created us in His own image. He did not create us in need of one another’s approval. In fact, no matter how we are treated, favour and promotion come directly from Him.
I remember Joseph was disregarded by his brothers who were jealous of him who was a dreamer. However, he became second in position to Pharaoh because he had favour with God.
Esther’s uncle Mordecai was disregarded by Haman who plotted to murder him but later was promoted to a high rank by the King.
Both of these characters were disregarded and disapproved by people around them, but because they were the apple of God’s eye, eventually they received their promotion without any human intervention.
God’s beloved
I believe when we have the true revelation that we are the apple of His eyes, there is really nothing to fear or be insecure about. The more we draw closer to Him, the more we yearn only for His approval.
Zechariah chapter 2, verse 8 states for this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you--for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.” What a great verse!
Anyone who does not treat you the way you should be is touching the apple of God’s eye. Wow! Isn’t this verse the best evidence that you already have the approval of the Highest One, so why are we still fighting for approvals and applause that would not last?
Personally, I know it is easier than said to soak in His presence and not care about what others think of us. But in reality, it is a constant journey not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
No one is perfect, and we will always struggle in this area to be accepted. No matter what we do, there will always be people who accept us and people who do not want to be involved in our lives. But let us encourage and convince one another that we are the apple of God’s eye and there is nothing we can do to make our Daddy God love us more or less. We are His beloved, and will always be.
Amy Ching and her husband Phillip has recently had a baby. Amy enjoys fellowship with people and seeing their lives changed because of Jesus. Her passion is to influence others and speak into their lives. She loves watching dramas, drinking bubble tea, especially matcha flavoured ones, and spending time with kids. If you want to know more about her, check out her instagram account @chingamy, where she posts about life, her revelations, and hopes to inspire.
Amy Ching’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/amy-ching.html