Seeking Applause

“How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44 N.I.V)

As he approached the end of his time on earth, Jesus had a triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey on a carpet of palm leaves laid out by the people, “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9 N.L.T) A few days later, some of these same people were shouting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

People thrive on applause. It encourages one to do more and try harder. But not everyone is generous enough to applaud others, while some people are not outgoing enough to applaud publicly no matter how much they appreciate you.  Others might have other reasons not to applaud you such as jealousy, or the fact that they may totally disagree with your cause. Jesus had his eyes fixed on the cross and his encouragement came from what was inside him. He was on a mission and no amount of opposition could move him. He did not have to get high approval ratings from the people; only God mattered. He worked to show us the way and become the way.

Working for applause can get you addicted, so that you are always playing to the audience; getting disheartened when you receive no appreciation, and even stepping out of your values in search of the thrill of applause. We need to be motivated by the progress on the path we have chosen which is based on our fundamental values and not the world’s opinions. Work at your cause diligently and let any glory or applause be for Jesus; and he will applaud you at the end of your journey. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever”. Daniel 12:3

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“The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to go one's way in life and working unerringly, neither depressed by failure nor seduced by applause.” Gustav Mahler

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