Impressions

First impressions are lasting impressions. "You may have heard it said, “you only get one chance to make a first impression.” Research supports this popular adage showing that within seven seconds a person will make several judgments about who you are and if they can trust you.

We speak, act, and even dress to impress. We all want to be liked and accepted by others. I for one struggle with this, big time. Dealing with insecurities and anxieties since childhood, I long for the affirmation of others. I need approval and a pat on the back that says I have done a job well. For me, I need to not only make a good first impression, but a lasting, lifelong impression on others.

This is a problem. Why? I can not meet everyone's expectations and make everyone happy all of the time. When I do let people down, it is very hard on me and my thoughts become anxious and obsessive on how I can do better. It is not healthy.

God has been working on me though, as He always does so faithfully. He told me point blank through His word, "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others." Philippians 2:3 The words seem harsh and direct. My thoughts wonder and ask God, "how have I been selfish?" He reminds me to not be looking out for my own interests, (not to worry what others impressions are of me), but to look out for the interest of others. "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:4-5.

And there it is... I have to have the same attitude as Christ. Christ, Jesus who was mocked, beaten scorn, and sacrificed and "though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." Philippians 2:6 "He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." Philippians 2:8.

Recently I have been challenged in this thought process to want to impress others. I have given a second thought about wanting others to see all of my good works for my glory, instead of God's glory. I have had situations that have come up that have painted me in a bad light. Falsehood and lies that suggest that I am not as good as people think...and it kills me. For someone to think ill of me, challenges my faith in a big way. It makes me wonder why these things happen. It makes me cry out to God for guidance and strength. It makes me seek His approval.

That's the very things that God reminds me as I read a book that I am studying with our teen girls, "Broken Crayons Still Color." In it is a poem written by the author, entitled, "Who Am I?" It says words that ring so true, it has words that seem to be directly coming from God himself to my very ears...and I'm listening.

"I believe the lie that if I continue to try harder, I will finally be 'good' enough. One day, God gently said to me, 'Stop trying to prove yourself to others. Get your worth from me. I've already given it to you. Remember my grace. It's a free gift and nothing you can achieve by trying harder. Rest in my grace. You are working so hard to have a certain position in the eyes of others, to be well liked, and to have popularity. You want to be appreciated for what you do. But I want you to know that you have an elevated position of being a princess....You are the daughter of a King. An no matter what you do, your status will never change."

Tears filled my eyes as I read these words. They could not have been more true or more fitting for my situation and it reminds me again of what God says in His word, "don't try to impress others."

Paul the apostle also says in his letter to the Galatians, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.  (Gal. 1:10)

My servitude depends on who I am serving. Am I serving self to please others, or I am serving Christ?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   (Col. 3:23-24)

God is working on me still. A little more every day He is changing me to be more like the very Son whom he sent to die for us just because He loves us so much.

As I was reading from Philippians 2 this morning and I was being reminded by God to not impress others, I stop and take pause as I read verse 13. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." He's also reminding me that He's working in me, giving me the desire to please Him. What joy in that thought. What a wonderful thing to know that God loves me enough to work in me. Although it may be painful at times, although I may not fully understand, although I may become weary and want to give up, He says, I'm still working on you, I'm making my impression on you.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18

God made us in His image way back in the beginning of time, starting with Adam and having every intention for us to be like Him, but sin got in the way of that. We must be holy, because He is holy, but I can't do that on my own. I have to be made back into the image of Him though His son's sacrifice, through putting Him on in the waters of baptism. (Gal. 3:27).

I have to let God's Words make an impression on my heart. “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as front on your forehead. Duet. 11:18

I have to let Jesus leave His impression on me. I have to be disciplined and taught to be more like the one I follow, to not only be a true disciple, but to be changed into his glorious image. God welcomes and encourages this for all of His faithful followers.

God sent His son to die so we can become like Him. Now that's impressive!