Living for approval

Originally written March 11

Today: 2 Kings 20-22

Tonight I watched a comedian discussing his wife’s obsession…with shoes.

“She tries to tell me, ‘I wear these shoes so I can look good for you.’ And I tell her, ‘Honey—I’m a guy. I don’t care about your shoes!’”

The comedian then reasoned that the reason women really care so much about shoes is so they can impress other women.

I’m not sure if his summary of my female peers was accurate (personally, I like wearing certain shoes just because I like them and think they look good). But I do think that there are many people (women and men) who say, think and do things a certain way because they are looking for approval from someone else.
Is living for approval always a bad thing?
I thought about that question as I read today’s passage. Check out King Hezekiah’s words to God here:

Hezekiah turned from Isaiah and faced God, praying:

Remember, O God, who I am, what I've done!
I've lived an honest life before you,
My heart's been true and steady,
I've lived to please you;
lived for your approval.

After Hezekiah prayed these words, God healed him from an illness and added additional years to his life. Living for God’s approval is definitely a good thing…and thankfully, He cares about things in our lives well beyond footwear.

Tomorrow: 2 Kings 23-25