written by Stephan Joubert
I once read a tale of two monks that went on a journey. At a river they encountered a woman who couldn’t cross the fast-flowing water without help. The first monk refused to help her, since it was against their order’s rules to touch a woman. The other monk immediately offered to help by carrying her on his shoulders across the river. Afterward, the rule-abiding monk went on for hours about his “shocking” breach of their rules. “I don’t understand your unhappiness,” the helpful monk eventually answered. “I put that woman down hours ago, but you’re still carrying her around.” How true! We don’t get other people off our shoulders easily, especially not those that breach our own religious rules.
Stop your prejudiced opinions about the behavior of others for a change. You can’t live their lives on their behalf. You can’t make your unasked for religious views applicable to them. Only when you have the courage to establish an authentic relationship with them do you earn the right to talk to them about the Lord.
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written by Stephan Joubert
“They say…” Isn’t it remarkable how often we hear such remarks? The opinions of “them” often determines what “we” or “I” think. Many churches and businesses are even managed based on “their” opinions. Comments like “What would the members say?” or “The opinions of our customers count the most!” are well-known sayings in these circles. People have to be kept happy at all costs, otherwise they might withdraw their loyalty from us. But wait… Do you really want to be a life-long victim of other people’s opinions? Do “they” have to keep you hostage? Is that really what the Lord expects of you? Should you work hard for the favor of others, like some Christians think, or should you trust God to confirm your integrity in front of others in his own way?
If you live for the approval of others, you’re a victim. There’s a better alternative. Strive for God’s approval. Put his kingdom first. Take care to ensure that his approval motivates you. Strive to receive the best compliment ever from the Lord one day: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Then you’ll be free of “them”.
