Acceptance

The principle of acceptance is central to the way we live and who we are as individuals. The things a person is able and willing to accept in and about themselves define the way they live and act. But it is deeper even than that the way we perceive other's acceptance or rejection of us, also deeply impacts the way we view and interact with the world around us. I have noticed that often the very things we do to try to gain acceptance of those around us are the very things that drive people away. We as humans in general want to be accepted, and want people to like us, unfortunately what it costs to be accepted by the world, is God's acceptance. As stated in James 4:4 "Don't you realize that friendship with the world, makes you an enemy of God?" Too often it is the case that we trade the priceless gift of God, for something that will perish and pass away. Search the world from ocean to ocean, from mountain to mountain, and tell me this. What will you find that is worth trading the gift of a relationship with the one true God? Who will you find that can meet the needs of your soul the way God can? Who will you find that can challenge God's strength, his wisdom, his love or his mercy? By what other name, can you find salvation? If you search for a thousand years you will not find anything or anyone to fit even one of the above criterion much less all.