(Jesus said) "I only try to please the One who sent me." John 5:30

Have you realized yet that you can't please everyone? I know lots of people who seem to believe that they just can't be happy unless everyone is happy with them. Talk about living the impossible dream! Even God can't make everyone happy. One person prays for rain, while another prays for sun. One person prays for the White Sox, while the other prays for the Cubs.

Who are you trying to please? During his ministry in the world Jesus decided to play to an audience of One. He decided to please God above all else, and not play to the whims and wants of the people around him. Jesus didn't hand his identity on the approval of others. He lived to please God alone. How about you?

When we make the decision to live for an audience of one, some amazing things happen. First, we experience a new freedom. We no longer weigh every decision and action against the possible responses of others. We no longer determine our success by the opinions of others, nor do we evaluate our self-worth by the approval of other people.

Second, we guarantee our own success! How is that possible? Simple: God is pleased with you even before you do a thing! Through faith in Christ, you're a winner in God's eyes. Of course you'll fail. Of course you'll make bad decisions. But God doesn't evaluate us on our behavior. God evaluates us by what Jesus has done for us on the cross. When you live to please God alone, you will always ultimately succeed.

Next time you have an important decision to make, ask yourself, "Who am I trying to please?²

Then decide to play to an audience of one!