The Laws of Applause
Years ago, somebody taught me “You won’t have peace until you figure out who your audience is, and God is the only audience that matters.” While this is true, living it out risks two misunderstandings:
- God is an ‘audience’ we perform for, which ignores grace
- What people think doesn’t matter, which ignores reality
Everyone likes positive feedback. Everyone. Some take it in stride, some feel so bad about themselves they can’t receive even the smallest compliment, and some soak up applause like the desert does rainfall. When Andy Stanley talked about this at a recent Catalyst Conference, he said, “there’s a ‘Lady Gaga’ in all of us.” He went on to share the “laws of applause”…
- What’s applauded as exceptional the first time will be expected next time
- Those most applauded for feel most entitled to
- Applause is intoxicating and “applause-intoxicated” people don’t make good decisions
- Applause is addictive. We start looking for it…we’ll even manufacture it
Once you get a little applause, there’s an appetite for more. I know because I’ve sought it forever. The first half of my life, I wanted my dad’s applause. Oh, I chased after a lot of other people’s applause too….girls, teachers, buddies, professors, and eventually bosses. But in the back of my head, it was my dad’s applause I really wanted. I can’t remember a single time when I met my dad’s complete approval and he told me about it and I believed him.
Without consciously deciding, I set out to make him proud… in the only arena I had a chance…work. If I could be successful, get promotions, make money and have cool things, my dad would applaud. So for 13 years, I went for it. Intoxicated by the accolades, success became my audience and my path to applause. My ‘applause addiction’ led to my agreeing to move after just 20 months in ‘the house of my wife’s dreams’. It was the fifth move in nine years. Like Andy said….people intoxicated with applause don’t make good decisions. That one was a catastrophe.
But a few months later, my “then God” moment happened. I grasped God’s love and for the very first time, I felt acceptance, approval and peace. The love I felt wasn’t tied to performance. I no longer had to have the applause of people, including my dad. Reaching out to God, receiving His love and forgiveness…this was without a doubt, the most significant thing that’s ever happened to me.
God changed my heart, my job, my friends, my church, my city and state, all within 6 months. And don’t get me wrong, I still like applause. That’s human. But I’m not addicted to it nor intoxicated by it. I try to gracefully and gratefully deflect applause intended for me to my Lord. He deserves it, all of it and more.
Question: Are you clear about whose applause you’re working for… and why? Tell us here.
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Responses (4)
“What’s applauded as exceptional the first time will be expected next time”
How true this statement is. Just when you get to the next rung on the ladder (success, security, dream house, job, wife, life)there is someone or something “more”. Another phantom to chase.
What was considered luxury in my business 20 years ago is now standard and even those of moderate means feel entitled to this new “standard”.
The wonderful paradox of Jesus’ reverse economy is that we can only truly be fulfilled in Him!. Thus by subtracting that which does not matter are we able to find peace and joy.
“Lord I believe, help me with my unbelief” Mark 9:24
I’m with you Tony. I sometimes get compliments on these posts, which feel like applause. I find myself working harder and harder… trying to make them better, sometimes focusing more on what I think will be helpful or well received than on what God might have for me say. Most of what I write here is more for me than for you guys. Thanks for ‘staying tuned’ and for your comment.
Great post. I’m a former athlete and at times battle with the addiction of the applause. I craved it. I sought it out. At times now I look and even expect it. How would I get here: “Reaching out to God, receiving His love and forgiveness…this was without a doubt, the most significant thing that’s ever happened to m
I’m so hard-headed, it took being rejected by my wife and my career. Without other options for ‘applause’, I surrendered to Him. I was desperate. And for some reason, I finally truly believed the words I’d heard all my life. That God loved me….without an asterisk. Me. The Creator of the universe knew my name. He knows your name, Louis! He loves you enough to die for you…just you. Start asking Him “Lord, I want to believe you really love me. Make me aware of your love. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see”. Spend a little time thinking back to the blessings He’s given you in your life. To have been an athlete…wow, how special. Nothing I ever did. If you start listing all the expressions of love He’s given you, the stuff He’s protected you from…before long you’ll start to see just how special you are to Him and how much He loves you. Talk to Him Louis. Listen to His Spirit speaking into your thoughts. Changing your desires. Raising your ‘conscience’ level far above just ‘right and wrong’, sparking compassion and generosity. He’s there. I promise. He’s there for you, but He’s not going to compete with evil, or pride, or selfishness, or busyness. Receiving His love….fully….is a choice you make, not a feeling you get. Once you choose to believe and receive it, you’ll know it. And it will never leave you, no matter what happens. Let me know if this is helpful, o.k.?