The idea for this piece of writing formed after contemplating interactions with others over a number of years. I don’t say it is well thought out, rather it is a current view on a long-term difficulty that I have experienced. If you have experienced this challenge whilst getting to know people and being known, my heart is sad with you.
I do believe, however, that the Truth sets us free, and so facing this struggle, in fact, makes me feel more free, despite some sadness.
I’ve recently had what I think is great teaching from our friend Colin Nichols, on the concept of ‘serving people without entrusting yourself to them’…John 2.23-25. How can you live free from both flattery, and criticism? It’s been a liberating thought process…Jesus, as God, knows what men and women are like…in their brokenness. He is not surprised by it, he is fully aware of how deep sin is in people. And we need to learn this from Him. We are able to lead others, and influence them, but it is unwise to “entrust” ourselves to anyone. Hopefully this doesn’t make us untrusting, but hopefully we can have our sense of worth come directly from who God is, and who God says we are, so that as others interact with us, we are in some sense serene…at peace in ourselves, and at peace with God, who loves us, and from Whose love nothing can separate us! Amen