Live for the Audience of One
Because opinions fade, but God’s call remains
Beloved friend,
Do you ever feel like you’re in a constant battle of trying to prove to people that you love God? Or like you have to explain your every move so people don’t think you’ve gone “too spiritual”? I’ve been there. I used to feel the need to defend my actions, trying to convince others that I wasn’t overdoing things, that I wasn’t losing my grip on reality just because I took life seriously in the spiritual sense. But here's the thing—why are we doing this?
It’s easy to slip into the trap of constantly seeking validation from others for how we live our lives for God. Whether it’s toning down your standards to seem more relatable or subtly explaining your decisions to avoid coming off as “holier than thou,” we’ve all felt that pressure. “Won’t they think I’m too rigid for not compromising a little?” “Won’t they say I’ve gone crazy for choosing a different path?” “Won’t people question my sincerity for listening to Christian jazz instead of hymns?” Honestly, the list goes on and on—but have we stopped to ask what God thinks?
Friend, living for the audience of One is not just a catchy phrase, it’s a call to focus. A call to release the burden of trying to satisfy people who were never meant to guide our walk with God in the first place. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” In the end, it’s not people’s opinions that matter—it’s God’s.
Trust me, I get it. Sometimes you just don’t want to seem like that person—like “Holy Mary” who never bends the rules or that person who takes their faith a little too seriously. You might think that adjusting your standards a bit is harmless, but let me remind you, your call is uniquely yours. What works for someone else may not work for you. Just like trying to use the blueprint for a two-story building to build a duplex—it won’t fit! God calls each of us to specific things in our lives, and we simply cannot afford to let others dictate our journey.
Here’s where it gets real. At some point, we all face this urge to perform, to meet the expectations of others. But can we pause for a second and reflect? Why are we looking to people for validation when we’re living for the One who matters most? Jesus Himself didn’t go around trying to justify His actions to everyone. In John 5:30, He said, “I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.” If Christ, who was perfect, lived solely to please the Father, how much more should we be doing the same?
People will always have opinions. They will always have something to say about your decisions, your calling, and how you live your life. And let’s be honest—they’re not always wrong! There are always lessons to learn from other people’s experiences, but expecting your life to match theirs simply because it worked for them? Dangerous. God’s plan for you is custom-made, and trying to live by someone else’s standards is like wearing shoes that just don’t fit—they’ll give you blisters and slow you down. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Trusting in God and His call for your life is the only way forward.
Living for the audience of One takes the pressure off. When you walk with Jesus, you aren’t distracted by fear or ego. You can pour your energy into what matters—serving God and others—not to avoid criticism, but because you’re called to it. There’s freedom in that. When you release the need to impress others, you free yourself to be authentic, to be exactly who God created you to be, without compromise.
So, if you’re someone who’s been editing your standards, constantly explaining yourself, or dimming your light to fit in, this is your reminder: live for the audience of One. At the end of the day, His approval is the only one that matters. People’s opinions are just that—opinions. God’s opinion is truth, and that’s where your focus should be.
With thoughts of kindness,
ABBA’s Shofar