Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.
I know I’m not alone when I confess that I’m a lifelong, card-carrying, people-pleaser. I want to be liked, and for others to think well of me. Their opinion matters.
Or does it?
I’ve had a tough week. I had a great schedule for each day, meaning I had great plans for the week. My to-do list was extraordinarily lengthy, but with my commitment to long days, short nights, and excellent planning, everything would flow smoothly. I was sure of it.
And I’m sure you know how that turned out.
The problem was that I wasn’t the only one involved in bringing the plan to fruition. If the ones on the left didn’t get their things to me on time, I couldn’t get my things to the ones on the right on time. So, as you’ve probably already figured out, I failed to fulfill what I had promised, when I had promised it.
I was concerned about my testimony. Would I be seen as untrustworthy . . . slack in following through on my promises? Was I disparaging the name of Christ? Was I disappointing Him and those He loves? I went to bed frustrated with myself.
I got up yesterday morning, my heart heavy regarding the what-ifs of the situation. I poured a steaming mug of coffee, plopped into my office chair, and opened my devotion for the day. The first thing I saw was this Bible passage, written by Paul to the Corinthians:
It matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT)
In this instance, Paul was speaking to those who were passing judgment on his faithfulness as a servant of Christ, but the truth still applies in my situation . . . and it applies in yours as well. He is the one who judges our hearts. He is the one who examines our motives. He is the one we need to please.
Yes, we must do all we can to represent His light in the darkness and deal honestly with others. But when we’ve done everything we can to fulfill what we’ve promised and we have a clear conscience of our motives, there’s no need to fear the judgment of others.
After all, He sees. He knows. He is in control.
And He’s always got our backs.
I pray His blessing of the work of your hands and your hearts.
Vonda
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