Living for an Audience of One
Who is your audience?
We all want an audience. One that invests in our lives, making us feel valued and wanted.
Most people find this audience on social media. Some live for the follows, likes, comments, and shares. Others live for the approval of their boss, spouse, family, or friends. And some just want to look like a perfect follower of Jesus (as if there is such a thing).
Living for a large audience can be draining. Constantly conscious of what others think of you and living a life worthy of their approval makes you physically, mentally, and spiritually weary.
Living for an audience of one is not necessarily more manageable, but there is much more joy and freedom in it.
Imagine living free to make mistakes without receiving hateful comments. Imagine finding joy in what most would consider a mundane life.
Imagine taking time to rest when you need to without the fear of looking lazy. Imagine giving something your best effort and feeling accomplished no matter the outcome knowing you worked hard to do your best.
Imagine not caring what others think of your faith. Imagine pursuing that crazy and wild dream God has given you with reckless abandon.
Imagine volunteering for the ministry the Lord has placed on your heart without worrying about what your boss will think about how you spend your time.
Imagine selling everything you own and moving overseas to share the gospel without fear of what your unbelieving friends will say to you.
This is all possible when you live for an audience of one — God.
When God is your sole audience member, then what He thinks of you is all that matters.
Jesus tells us to pray privately, in a room alone where no one can see us, to avoid receiving credit for being spiritual (Matthew 6:6).
When we practice righteousness to be seen by others, our only reward will be their praise (Matthew 6:2). We will receive no reward from God (Matthew 6:1).
But when we practice righteousness for an audience of one in secret, “our Father who sees in secret” will reward us (Matthew 6:4, ESV).
Living for an audience of one means living for God and not for others.
It means letting who God says you are define you, not who your followers, boss, friends, and family say that you are. It means freedom to live without worry of judgment from the world.
It means living to serve Christ completely and totally in all that you do no matter how unpopular it may make you. It means being filled with endless joy and peace as you are living not to please others, but the Lord.
Who are you living for? Who is your audience?
