Tip of My Iceberg

“Wow, my hair looks awesome!”

Beck woke up with a case of serious bed-head, and rather than whine about his hair not staying down, he saw the wonder in his hair sticking up. All over his head.

I love it when kids don’t have the world-weary attitude of adults when things don’t look right, act the way they expect, or become something completely unexpected.

Beck hadn’t learned to be cynical about his appearance. He found delight in being different.

I wish I had his cavalier attitude, not caring what others may think of him, not rushing to try to fix his wayward locks. I’m too aware of what others think, what they may say, especially if I show up having forgotten something essential. Like wearing my soccer flops to work instead of “office” shoes, or not recognizing the huge stain on my shirt until I get to work. I remember one time, giving a talk on a college campus, I couldn’t understand why some people sitting up close were giggling throughout much of my talk. No one had said anything, but when I got home, I found a huge piece of spinach stuck in my front teeth.

I hadn’t had time to brush my teeth, having gone from one dinner meeting to the dorm floor, so I went in unknowingly. I set myself up for dismal failure.

I care too much for what other people think. If I gave it enough thought, I’d know that no one thinks of me as often as I think they think of me. Who has the time? We’ve all got our own “stuff” to occupy our thoughts.

As an inveterate people-pleaser, it’s easy to get caught up in what others think. It’s even more prevalent today due to the pervasive nature of social media, where everyone showcases their best representation on various platforms. Image management can become a full-time job if we let it.

Who are we trying to impress? Why do we feel it necessary to impress others?

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, a church of great cultural diversity comprising both Jews and Gentiles, where individuals struggled to determine the correct laws and customs to follow. There were those who insisted on following all of the Mosaic laws; others pressed for living more in the grace Jesus offered. Paul’s response was straightforward:

“Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or court favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn’t bother being Christ’s slave.” Galatians 1:10. Paul lived to serve Jesus. He had God’s blessing and favor; he didn’t have to earn it. He didn’t care about pleasing religious leaders or others. He lived for the glory of God.

To the church of Thessaloniki, he wrote: “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Pleasing God meant more to him than garnering the affections and favor of crowds of people.

Seeking approval is a human need. Much of that comes from not being fully assured that we are loved or even lovable.

Beck knows he’s totally loved by his parents, so his appearance doesn’t make him nervous.

Paul knew that he was fully loved by God. His acceptance wasn’t based on what he’d done or what he could do for God.

God chose to love him.

Just as He chooses to love each of us.