Do you need validation?

Do you need validation?

Lately I’ve become hooked on Chopped. Yeah, it’s one of “those” cooking shows where various chefs compete and then proceed to get eliminated after the various rounds. They are competing for $10,000 but when asked why they’ve come on the show, they don’t say the prize money.  Most say they are looking for validation.

It got me thinking (that happens at the strangest times!). Is it just chefs that seem to be so insecure about their chosen profession or do all of us look for validation in some way?

Validation means, “to make valid, to substantiate, or confirm.” But I like another definition. “The outside recognition that you are doing the right thing at the right time.” I think that hits it a bit closer. (of course it’s my own definition!)

When you put it like that, how many of us are toiling away every day wanting and waiting, just wishing for someone to come up and take our shoulders in their hands, make us look at them in the face while they say,

“You are doing exactly what you should be doing at exactly the right time!”

Wow. Wouldn’t that be great.

But as good as that would be…validation only comes from the outside. And I continue to believe we need to be driven from the inside. If we don’t have that passion or destiny inside driving us forward, no amount of validation from the outside will do.

I asked Lainey (my wife and official sounding board) about this and she reminded me about Jesus. Did Jesus get validation from the outside or was He driven from the inside? Well…I believe when He was baptized and the dove descended and the voice from Heaven said, “THIS is my son in whom I am well pleased!” that was a heck of a validation! On the other hand, He didn’t wait on the voice of man to validate his ministry or His message. He was convinced of His destiny and confident that what He was doing was the right thing.

So. What about you? Do you work every day wishing for outside validation? Are you convinced of God’s validation of your work, message, and ministry? This is something all of us have to seek out on our own; God’s very unique and special stamp of approval on what we do. Have you received validation from Him?

That’s a tough one.

How do we get that validation? It’s a mystery my friends. I only know that when you have it…you know it. And when you don’t…you know that too. I think the easiest way to get His validation is to do those things we all know He’s commanded us to do; make disciples, feed the poor, clothe the naked, help the widows and orphans, make the lame walk and the blind see.

The key is this…don’t wait on outside validation from anyone but God. (says the guy who checks his blog stats hourly to see how many people are coming to this site!) Allow your inner passion and the Destiny you know he’s placed in your heart drive you from the inside out.

Question: Are you guilty (like me) of longing for outside validation? Are you waiting for someone to give you their stamp of approval?

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