I  am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3.

There are times in life when we experience “aha-moments” or spiritual insights that guide us toward a deeper understanding of God’s divine providence in shaping our lives. I recently had such a moment after reading this statement: “Choosing God as your audience means that your eyes are on God, not on people. He is your Audience of One; like you, everyone else is a member of the cast” (excerpt from Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Phyllis Hendry).

Shakespeare wrote, “All the world is a stage,” describing a cast of performers in a play before an audience. On opening night, the reviews are in, and there may have been a standing ovation or even some negative criticism. How the actor or actress responds reveals where their heart lies and whose opinion matters the most.  

My friends, life circumstances often test our faith. Every born-again believer must choose their Audience of One. Is it other people, things, power, or positions that matter most? Or is it the One who knew us from the foundation of the world—the One who orders our steps on this journey called life? “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4.

There will always be the critics in life, the naysayers or negative Nellie’s, but put your focus on God, the Master of all Heaven and Earth. He is the One who is in sovereign control, and His thoughts are not aligned with ours!“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways myways, saith the Lord.” Isaian 55:8.

Let us briefly consider the response of a disgruntled worker to Jesus in Matthew chapter 20. In this parable, labourers were hired in a vineyard. The lord of the vineyard agreed to pay each labourer a penny for the day. As the day progressed, he also hired other servants. But at the end of the day, the last one hired was called in first and received the same amount as all the other labourers. “So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.” Matthew 20:8.

One labourer, having worked from the beginning, expresses dissatisfaction with the payment arrangement, murmuring against the good man of the house: “Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” Matthew 20:12.

The disgruntled servant obviously forgot something…whose servants were they all? The good man of the house chose what he wanted to do with his wages and for whom! My friends, this good man of the house in the parable represents Jesus. He saves, blesses, delivers, heals, and restores whom He wants in His own time and way! As the Word of the Lord reminds us: “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45b.

Therefore, when we choose God as our Audience of One, His perspective becomes our priority. Our aim is to exalt Him, expressing our love through obedience to His will. 

However, pride and fear—two impostors—can distract us by tempting us to seek validation from others. But as beloved children of God, we are His precious jewels, secure in His unconditional love, from which nothing and no one can separate us.

Remember, no matter how hard life hits you, don’t give in to naysayers or critics. Instead, make Jesus your “Audience of One,” because His approval is all that matters! As it is written: “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3.,

God’s blessings and peace to all!