*See The Power of Your Parent’s Approval pt 2
One of the things that is so huge in youth culture, whether it’s in the Christian subculture or not, is parents approval. Over the years I have watched students do things to try and get approval from mom and dad. Whether it’s perform well in athletics, academics, or some other avenue, I have seen countless students live in such a way to be noticed by mom and dad.
There is nothing more significant that the relationship or lack of relationship between a teenager and his/her parents. About 89% of America can’t say that they have been raised in a home with mom and dad who love each other and are affirming and have unconditional acceptance. There are a variety of reasons why this is the case, which we won’t get into here. Basically, this is a problem. What’s worse, is that it’s creating a generation of dysfunctional people because they don’t know what it’s like to have mom and dad’s approval.
Worse still, their lack of healthy relationship with their parents translates into an unhealthy view of God. We hear phrases like, “God the Father,” etc., and often times the line of thought goes, “If God is anything like my dad, I don’t want to have anything to do with Him.” This is one of the worst attacks of Satan, yet goes unaddressed in youth ministries all over. If they equate their earthly father, no matter how great or terrible, to God the Father, then we have an issue on our hands.
The great thing is, no matter how wonderful or awful parents might be, God is nothing like them. There’s a story in the Bible where Jesus is being baptized by John the Baptist. As he comes out of the water, we see the Holy Spirit descend like a dove on him, and we hear the voice of the Father saying, “This is My Son, chosen and marked by My love…the One who is the DELIGHT OF MY LIFE.” Before Jesus had actually done ANYTHING, God said He was the one He loves, and is the delight of His life. That applies to us as well! We are God’s children!
We know that Jesus died on the cross, and it was for our sins and all that. But many times, after we give our lives to Him, we think that we have to be perfect. We think that we have to be good enough, and holy enough, and pure enough to KEEP His love! But there is nothing you could ever do to make God stop loving you. You never have to earn God’s approval. Jesus died on the cross because God ALREADY GAVE His approval.
He is the only parent that will always do it right. He is the only parent who can always say the right things to you. He is the only parent that can always be there when you need Him most! He is the only parent that can love you enough that no matter how many times you messed up and how great that mess up was, as long as you are genuine and ask for forgiveness, He gives it without conditions. He is the only parent who will never get impatient. He is the only parent who will always give you His undivided attention. Regardless of how you view and attempt to get the approval of your earthly parents, be assured that your Heavenly Parent already approves of you. God wants you to know that He is your Father!
