Shower Thoughts: What Will Other People Think

Because the shower is one of the only times I am alone during my day, I am able to think without distractions. Therefore, these blogs are titled Shower Thoughts.

While in the shower this morning, I was thinking about how we (I) sometimes get so caught up wondering what other people think about me or my actions. Not sure where this all came from, maybe from my Bible reading time this morning.

I'm reading 1st Samuel and was in chap. 15. This is the chapter where King Saul fails to fully obey the Lord when He tells him to totally wipe out the city of Amalek. As you probably remember Saul keeps the king (Agag) alive and saves some of the best animals to "sacrifice to the Lord your God".

Samuel is of course very upset upon hearing this and Saul tries to explain his actions. But finally he says, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice."

There have been many times in my life that I have not obeyed God based on what people might think of me. Usually I am concerned over what Christian people might think. How strange & backwards is that? Years ago, upon telling friends I was now a Christian there were mixed replies. Upon telling people I wanted to be a missionary, there were even more mixed replies. Upon telling people I was going to quit my job to go on my first mission trip, the replies were really stirred up. And as most of you know there have been a lot more changes since then: More mission trips, Seminary, three children, language school here in Costa Rica, and one day moving to Belize (Lord willing).

We've heard a lot of "concerns" from friends and family:
"Christianity is empty. There's nothing there."
"Why do you want to do that?"
"You're moving there?"
"Are you taking the kids with you?" (my personal favorite)
"But there are people here who need help too?"
"He just takes it a little too far."

If I've learned anything it is not concern myself with what other people think, but instead (and of course) to be concerning with what God thinks. May we not fall into the sin of Saul (and Cohen) by being concerned with what people think when it comes to obedience to God.

When I stand before the Lord and give an account all my excuses will be stripped away and it will be only me. Oh Father, help me to see You and Your concerns as bigger and man and his concerns as smaller.