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Likeable As we ponder the nature of morals we must consider what ethicists suggest; that morality is only a byproduct of religion or culture. For this devotional I want to focus on culture and its influence, not only on our morals but also on the choices we make on a daily basis. It is often suggested that what defined the World War II generation, better known as “The Greatest Generation”, was that their decision making process was based on their ethics. Today, it seems that process is in reverse; our ethics are based mostly on the decisions we make daily in the workplace, decisions driven by our desire to be “likeable”, in our constant search for the approval of those around us. In our constant search for approval, whether from our parents, teachers, and our peers in the workplace, no matter what we may do, it never seems to be enough. We may spend countless hours in the gym seeking the approval of the opposite gender or limitless hours of extended education classes in an effort to better ourselves to perhaps get that promotion we think we deserve, but somehow time and time again we find ourselves coming up short. Yet, we never considered that God rarely works through people whose drive is based on what others think of them. In his book “The Traveler’s Gift”, Andrew Stanley presents a series of encounters and conversations between David, the main character in the book, and an amazing array of historical figures. In one conversation with President Abraham Lincoln David asks the president: “Are you bothered by what other people are say about you?” Lincoln responds: “As you may know, I am the first ever Republican president. I was elected by a minority of the popular vote, and even some members of my own cabinet view me as third-rate. To many of the elite of Washington I will always be a country lawyer, a gawky, unrefined outsider. If I were to concern myself with the newspaper columns that label me dishonest and stupid, if I had my feelings destroyed every time a political opponent called me an ape or a buffoon, I would never be about the work for which I was born. “Sooner or later every man of character will have that character questioned. Every man of honor will be faced with unjust criticism, but never forget that unjust criticism has no impact whatsoever upon the truth. And the only sure way to avoid criticism is to do nothing and be nothing!” Lincoln would go on to sign one of the most important documents humanity would consider, The Emancipation Proclamation, which would reaffirm God’s intention that every man, woman and child is created equal. This document would generate enormous harsh criticism. However, for Lincoln, while public opinion would sway like a tide, right and wrong would not. I wonder where our nation and for that matter the world would be if this man of God was more concerned with public opinion than with doing the work for which he knew he was born. Our goal in life is not to seek the public’s approval in all we do, but to accomplish that for which we were created. How then are we to know what we were created for if we did not create ourselves? Only a creator knows for sure for what purpose he created something. Lord, give me a hunger for your Word, your manual for your creation. Help me to seek your approval and not that of others. Meditation: Are you certain you know what you were created for?
Jorge L. Valdes, Ph.D.
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