Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” vs. 26
Luke 6:20-31
Most of us have an enormous need to be liked, a character flaw that the social media giant Facebook has exploited to generate traffic on its pages. People will go to any lengths to post pictures and comments that will get them “likes” from their hundreds of make-believe “friends.” The vulnerable among us, particularly the young and needy, can be devastated when their postings are ignored or ridiculed. Jesus warns his disciples that getting approval from others may be a sign they’re heading in the wrong direction, because historically, true prophets have never won popularity contests. How much better it is when we can develop enough confidence in ourselves and in our values to speak and act boldly in every situation, without worrying about how we are being received. We may not win a lot of friends, but at least the truth will be seen and heard. Getting to this point in life is enormously difficult, because most of us care so much about what others think. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that prophets are so rare in our world. What a blessing it is when we grow so confident of God’s unconditional love that we can take risks with our words and deeds. Only then can real societal transformation take place. Only then can there be reformation!
Thought for the Day: How much do I care about being liked?
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