Daily Devotional for August 20, 2021
Approval of One
Ha Jun balled his hands into fists as the judges held up his gymnastics score for the parallel bars: 8.5. All around him, people cheered and celebrated; some even threw flowers. Ha Jun knew in his heart it was a good score and that he had given it his all. He’d worked so hard to make it this far. Still, he couldn’t help but hear the voice of his father invade his thoughts: “Second place is no winner in my book, Ha Jun.”
Hours later, as Ha Jun rested in bed, he stared at his name on the many certificates and medals decorating his room. Even his own name seemed to taunt him! “Ha Jun” in part meant “talented,” exactly what his father desired him to be. He tried not to think about the look of disappointment on his father’s face when he told him he received second place in the competition. Would he ever be good enough?
Sorrow threatened to overwhelm him, so he opened his nightstand drawer and pulled out his Bible. His halmoni—the Korean word for grandmother—had given it to him as a gift a few months ago, with the promise that if he read it he would find comfort and hope. Ha Jun opened the pages he was beginning to become familiar with and turned to Colossians chapter 3. He gasped when he read verse 23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Ha Jun read it over again and again, letting the truth sink into his soul.
“God, I think I understand now,” he prayed. “I desire approval from my father so much, but I really only need approval from one Father—You. I know You created me and You love me no matter what, and I know I already have your approval because Jesus died to make me Yours. You are my heavenly Father, and whatever I do, I should do it for You. When I feel angry or sad because of my earthly father, remind me what Your Word says about me. Amen.”
Ha Jun smiled and flipped off his bed, then looked up with a wink. “That flip was for you, God!” -Savannah Coleman
How about you?
Whose approval are you working to get? Parents? Friends? Teachers? Remember that God is the only one whose approval ultimately matters, and you can’t do anything to earn it. Jesus earned it for you when He died for your sins. He knows everything about you and still loves you completely, regardless of how you perform or what mistakes you make. Do everything for Him, resting in the promise of His everlasting love for you.
Thank you for reading this Keys for Kids devotional! Did you enjoy the story? Has Keys for Kids been an encouragement to you and your family? If so, would you please consider supporting Keys For Kids Ministries in our effort to continue to provide these daily devotionals to children around the world?