Learning: Be Offensive

Here is another little fact about your wonderful blog-writer:
I have often epitomized the role of 'people-pleaser.'

There are many people who can say the same for themselves -- both male and female. It is easy to have a desire in your heart to bring happiness and comfort to everyone around you!

Once that desire has entered your heart, there is great difficulty in acting outside of that desire.

Confusion is inevitable. What could compel a good and godly woman to seek out the struggle of not bringing happiness and comfort to others? To invite more believers to join in her strange struggle?

As Christians, we proclaim that we are followers of Jesus Christ. We (sometimes too rarely) seek to emulate Christ in both thought and deed. It is certainly a struggle to do, because Jesus did a great many wonderful things!

One thing which I often forget, especially in the guise of a 'people-pleaser', is that Jesus willingly offended many, many people.

If we choose to follow Jesus in everything, does it then mean we are to be offensive?

As believers, we should not only bring comfort, but discomfort. We should draw out not also joy, but sometimes sorrow (such as what Jesus does for the rich young ruler). We are called first to bring God's Word and His love, irregardless of expected reaction.

As we all know quite well, there are many people who find God's Word to be offensive! That, however, should never prevent us from sharing His Truth . . . never.

I was not made simply to please and comfort people, but to steadfastly follow God and bring Him praise.

And that is also true of you.