Winner!

We had a drawing for prizes this past week. Three individuals had their names drawn by Amber Grady, our Counselor. They won gift cards to various places. BCM made them happy campers! Some elementary students also won prizes this past week at Fall Festivals at various churches. The prizes ranged from bikes to toys & gift certificates, and, again, they were happy campers. In each case the requirement was simple: they had to sign up & enter their names & information.

This is an important day in the life of our nation. Individuals have entered their names in the bidding for president of the United States. They have spent over a billion dollars to win the approval & vote of the people. Millions of us have cast our votes to select the winner.

I seldom win anything, partially because I don’t enter many contests. I’m not a gambler, so there’s never been any winning lottery numbers in the Jackson household. I have won a few things in my life; notably, scholarships, recognition, and awards in art, music, & speaking. In each case I had to perform or submit an entry to gain the approval of a panel of judges.

Everyday people spend countless hours & effort to win the approval of others. Each time you ‘dress for success,’ or shell out extra money to buy some ‘bling’ to catch someone’s eye, you gamble on winning approval. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating you dress like a monk in sackcloth or ‘homespun.’ I simply want to remind you that some spend their entire lives pandering for approval & never really live life.

I know you can name a list of celebrities & stars which chased after the approval of the masses only to find it elusive. Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Anna Nichol Smith, Brittany Spears, Elvis Presley, (you fill in the blanks) and many more come to mind. Each found fame hollow & tried to fill the void with anything that would help them escape that emptiness.

There are some who have chosen a better direction. Some have taken higher ground & found it far more stable. I appreciate men like Kirk Cameron, of the recent film, “Fireproof,” who risked career & stardom to chase something really lasting: God’s approval.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul had everything any leader could want. He was a religious leader with clout, following, power, position and family. He dropped it all to find God’s approval.
“I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 NLT


If you feel discouraged & empty from chasing the approval of an unimpressed world, call on God. Drop me a note, email, message or call & I’ll pray with you and encourage you as you find approval in the One who really matters: Jesus.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com