The Approval

where do you look
for approval?
in whose eyes
must you find
affirmation?
fickle indeed is
the adulation
of the world
like the weather-vane
grasping at the wind
is the fawning for favor
the addiction of
pursuing a nod
to fill ego's
bottomless coffers
vainly obsessing to satisfy
insecurity's infinite appetite
bankrupts the spirit
devours integrity
enslaves the soul
bringing double-mindedness
to the heart
by focusing on
mirror's reflection
with a fascination for
the temporal....
instead
hear this:
you are already approved
in My eyes
the One who created you to
become Divine
who bore you upon
the Cross
in sacrificial Love
who tenderly caresses
your heart
calling you
to Myself for
eternal intimacy
I name you
My Beloved
each one
My favorite
you have only to
turn to Me
to surrender
to know the truth
to begin to fathom
your precious Identity
I entreat you to
open your heart
let go of self to
live in Me
and
I in you
then seek to walk
in My Love
for only in the gift of self
is My Image perfected
in mutual donation of
one to another
only then will
freedom become yours
so when vanity
demands to be fed
provoking security's effacement
resist and
envision Calvary
there to comprehend
True Approval
and it's perfection
in the Resurrection
then seek ONLY
to please
the One who is
your ALL

Reflection/Discussion:
-How does looking for the approval of others affect you?
-How does it "enslave the soul"?
-Does our sin affect God's approval? Why/not?
-How can already having God's approval free us?
-What are the blocks for that to happen?