You will rarely hear me say what I will quote from an old friend here. I tend to be a people-pleaser best I can be, but there are times I simply cannot do what a person or group of ’em want and there are a load of reasons when I cannot and will not. Often it’s due to what I’m already doing for others or in good conscience before God cannot move beyond what I’m fully convinced He is calling me to do or not do in a situation.
My wife has called me on caring too much what people think, and I usually want to defend myself re. often doing things that I’m certain will not be loved, liked, accepted by others but am convinced I must do in service to Jesus and others. But at core, I think she’s correct.
Not being Lord nor anywhere close to Savior (!!!) and of course having my own family, church, neighborhood and general serving responsibilities may or may not include you on any moment, day, week, month, year or lifespan. Now all of this is equally true of everyone reading this! We can beat ourselves up knowing someone or group of someones are in need and accomplish nothing. We can dismiss a deep, convicting call of God in serving person A only to be judged harshly in the negative by person B due to our not serving them or at least doing as they wish toward them.
Again, this is a situation every person on planet earth must navigate. Certainly at times we’ve blown it, yet judgments must be made as to how thin and wide we can spread ourselves, what our actual gifts and talents in serving others truly are. We each and all -do- have limits.
If you read my writings, hear my songs or hear/see/read interviews I’ve given you rarely get what I’ve just stated here, but it’s always been so and won’t end long as I live – nor for you dear reader.
In light of all this, Steven Meigs posted something that so rang this bell of truth I felt it important to share. So many of you are self-condemned or feel rejection so keenly on this basis. After many reads, I find the following absolutely true and important.
I’ll only add that if you are in some sense of ministry to others, you may wish to post it on your office wall and prayerfully consider it from time to time. Heartbreak, like mistakes and sin, is a part of all our lives. Rejection and ill will happens in everybody’s life. Truth and reality in these matters must be also!
Major Thanks to Steven for this quote of his:
“An important reminder that bears repeating:- You can’t possibly make everyone happy. – Not everyone is going to like you. – Some people may be inexplicably offended by the way you are. – You may never be able to figure out the reasons why. – The reasons may involve misunderstandings you’ll never have the opportunity to correct. – It doesn’t matter as much as it feels like it does. This is just the way it is, and we’re all much happier if we accept it. – Focus on those who appreciate you and value your gifts. Devote yourself to them. They are your family; they are your tribe. I’m especially thankful for my tribe.” -Steven Meigs
As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn
glennkaiser.com 