A number of years ago, I noticed myself feeling entitled to a gift and the amenities given me by the group to which I had been speaking. It was the same type of feeling or mindset I had begun to settle into as my focus turned more toward God and walking the Christian walk. As you make what seems like progress in “getting your spiritual act together,” you can easily be sucked into the delusion that you are achieving spiritual maturity. Fortunately, my next speech I received some evaluations that drew me back to reality. During my speaking career I found that the majority of the people would normally like what I have to say, while others felt it was just “ok.” However, there was always seemed to be at least one who did not like my offerings or feel that I had met his/her expectations.

When this happens my natural instinct is to want to rephrase or provide different insight so they will embrace my purpose. However, what I have learned when that tinge hits me, it is simply God at work because He loves me. With every sense of failure, disappointment or not being able to please others with my efforts creeps in, God provides another opportunity for fine tuning (John 15:2, Hebrews 12:5–11.) He uses others because He loves me and wants me in a regular state of character reevaluation.

It will always be hard when others don’t accept you. However you may find it even more difficult as you wonder whether it was your personality or your message. In either case there is good news in 1 Corinthians 3:7–8: “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” Though many see this purely as a verse about saving souls, I see it also as a verse about our working out our own salvation.

If it was truly your personality that is OK! God issued our unique personalities to stretch ourselves and others outside our small world. As God orders our steps (Proverbs 16:9) we are positioned with others to get them outside of their box, to see something new or different, or for us to be pulled outside our closed thinking! In this way, we live the learning process impacting ourselves and others in whatever way God determines. Every single person or set of circumstances are part of the kingdom learning path. The key is to observe the scenery and smell the roses along the way.

On the other hand, if it is your message, that is OK too! I know this was true of those whom Christ came in contact with, so if I emulate Him, it’s bound to happen to you. His discourse in Matthew 10 validates this premise.  If you are called and must speak, then understand ahead of time that speaking the truth will rarely please everyone. However, if you would be wise, you may follow Proverbs 10:19 and 17:28 and keep your words to those that are few and well chosen. Some of us, like Paul, were commanded to speak and therefore must live with all that goes with it. In either case know when you sense or feel others’ likes or dislikes, receptivity or hostility, or openness or rebuke, God is at work in your life and is making you more like Christ. Keep it in Kingdom perspective.

Love,

Dad