AN AUDIENCE OF ONE

For many of my earlier years, my life was caught up in achieving — recognition, accolades, a promotion, acceptance within certain circles.  I wanted it all — the perfect career, the perfect home, the perfect family, the perfect circle of friends, and the right possessions and accessories to make sure the world knew just how much I had achieved.

If I could just organize my life so that everything was perfect, true happiness would follow.  Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t UN-happy.  But I was the opposite of “contented.”  I just had to get the right furniture, the right landscaping, my kids into the right colleges, that classic purse — and everything would be PERFECT.

You see, I believed that these external things would fill me up, define my worth.  I believed that if the world saw me as perfect, I would, by definition, be living that perfect, enviable life. 

Boy, did I miss the mark!  I was playing to the wrong audience.

The realization came when I began to truly build my relationship with God. He helped me realize that my worth is already defined.  I am His daughter.  I belong to Him.  His love saves me continually.  Nothing this world can throw at me should matter; because He stands beside me always.  

Focusing on Him, I realized the time we have here on earth is just a blip.  A tiny blip in the context of eternity.  I was getting all knotted up about earthly matters, when my focus should be on the immense time that follows it.  My goal shouldn’t be the acclaim or admiration of people.  My goal shouldn’t be a perfect, air-brushed life.  

My goal should be heaven and an eternity spent with He who loves me most.

By following Christ’s footsteps, by opening up my heart to Him, by choosing or willing what He wants for me — I can grow in holiness.  If I pursue the virtues He expects of me, I can grow more pure of heart.  If I cultivate a self-lessness, I can become a servant to others more easily.

Let’s not let the world define us.  Our life is short — let’s know who our audience truly is.  When this sinks in, our lives gain purpose.  The stress of maintaining a facade disappears.  What truly matters becomes crystal clear!