Last fall, Mom and I attended a ladies’ Bible study for a few weeks. During one of our meetings, a wise older woman in the group said something that really stood out to me. She asked the simple question:

“Are we striving in life to build our reputation or, by God’s grace, our character?”

There is such a difference between having merely a good reputation and true character. Which one lasts? Which one will point others towards Christ and not ourselves?

I’ll admit that I can be a “people pleaser” and I sometimes do things with the wrong motive – to make myself look better. But in the end, will it really matter? Will I really gain anything at all? The truth is that I won’t. I want to have more of a mindset of “what does it matter what people think of me as long as I’m striving to live a life worthy of Christ?”

I love this song by Sara Groves. I hope you read the lyrics here, and as you do, remember with me today and every day that we’re living our lives for an audience of one. To God be all the glory!

When I stand before the Lord, I’ll be standing alone. This journey is my own.
Still I want man’s advice, and I need man’s approval, but this journey is my own.
Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price?
What would it mean to gain the wold, only to lose my life?

So much of what I do is to make a good impression. This journey is my own.
And so much of what I say is to make myself look better. This journey is my own.
Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price?
And what does it mean to gain the wold, only to lose my life?

I’ve never felt relief like I feel it right now. This journey is my own.
‘Cause trying to please the world, it was breaking me down.
Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one.
Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one, ’cause I know this journey is my own.

Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price?
What would it mean to gain the wold, only to lose my life?
You can live for someone else, and it will only bring you pain.
I can’t even judge myself. Only the Lord can say, “Well done.”