What Others Think
One of the things that kept me from writing for many years was “the fear of men.” I didn’t want to be judged, made fun of, or laughed at behind my back. (Or to my face, for that matter.) It didn’t help either having someone close to me ask, “What makes you think you’re a writer?” I would have thought they would have, instead, been my biggest fan! A cheerleader encouraging me to pursue writing with everything I’ve got as if on fire. That wasn’t to be.
But their words, as hurtful as they were, didn’t extinguish the flame that God had placed inside of me to be a writer. I shared my desire with a friend, and he encouraged me. I told him, “I know I may not ever be the best writer, but I was going to do it and try my best.” After all, writing is an art form, and any art is subjective to an individual.
People, for whatever personal reason, jealousy, past hurts of their own, or any other many reasons, can be so cruel when they pass judgment on another person. Even though we know this truth, it can be challenging to look past it. I mean, let’s face it: even though we want to be liked, accepted, or famous, why do we put so much weight behind the words of someone else?
Instead, we should only be concerned with what God thinks of us.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mat. 10:28 (NIV)
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luk 11:28 (NIV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7 (NIV)
True happiness is doing what God has called us to and being content knowing we have done our best with His help. Even if we have challenges or difficulties, we shouldn’t let them define us; rather, we should let God write our success story.
So, child of God who has been called, do it! Go and be the person you were meant to be. The one He has specifically made to do a specific task in a specific way. True, there may be someone else who is perhaps more qualified than you, but they’re not you. They don’t have the past, the experiences, the heart that you have. I have this knack for remembering stories and events from the past and then drawing from them when I need to. Others may not have that ability. And know that you may seldom or even never get a satisfaction survey that speaks truthfully about how God used you in someone’s life, but you will one day hear God say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
