The glorification and enjoyment of God is the one true purpose of mankind's creation. Sometimes we feel we have to please other people because we fear their rejection. However, in Christ there is no rejection to those who believe Him.
Whether at work, in ministry or in our own personal communities, we often feel the need to perform to be accepted. And as wonderful as it is that people can be driven to excellence by this pressure to perform for others, it can be very draining and stressful. That's because it is virtually impossible to meet all the needs and expectations of people. Left to our broken nature, we cannot and will not be pleased or satisfied by other people because only Jesus can ultimately feed in satisfaction to the human soul.
Proverbs 29:25 tells us, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." When you're working on a big project for your boss, leading worship to impress your pastor or congregation, or throwing barbecue parties to gain the favour of neighbours, we do wonderful and good things but with a motive that will destroy us rather than build us up.
It is embedded into our system to perform and excel for the audience of one. The Westminster Catechism states, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."
The honour of God has and will always be the core reason why we do everything that we do. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
We often think that the honour of God is not something worth pursuing because we think only God is at the receiving end of it, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Honouring God is a win-win situation and we benefit as well from honouring God. When we live to impress and glorify God, we fulfil our purpose in life which gives us that innate sense of fulfilment. Also, the Bible tells us that he who honours God, God will not neglect. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
If we are to live for anyone, let us live to honour God first and only secondarily to honour and serve others next. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says, "But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."
