Day #18

This story was a challenge to me. It was one of those times when I saw clearly the difference between 'how Coreen is' and 'how Jesus is.' It wasn't Jesus' goal to have the approval of those around Him. Ahh, I've got to admit... that is my goal a lot of the time. People were speaking well of Him... they were amazed, struck with admiration. He could have been happy and satisfied with that. Let's get real here, isn't that the gage many of us use for success? For whatever reason, rather than basking in his rising popularity, he chose to challenge and speak convicting words. Obviously, he wasn't looking to please people, but God.
It got me thinking about two different situations that had occured the day prior to when I did this devotion. In both situations, I was aware that my actions, though totally innocent and necessary, were probably going to result in people feeling uncared for or frustrated. Both situations where similar in that it was one of those times that I just needed to say no, or refuse to go the extra mile, though it was expected of me. Did I let it be??? No, the though of people feeling negative as a result of my action, or actually, inaction bothered me so much that I tried to step in a do something about it. Both times, my actions attempting to make these people feel better ended up leaving both me and them MORE upset and frustrated than if I had just let it be. What Jesus was trying to teach me... I am not responsible for other peoples feelings and when I try to be, I make it worse for all parties involved. I need to learn to be okay with people's disapproval. How does this crazy story relate to the devotion from Luke 4? It helped me to see that just because someone becomes upset with me, doesn't automatically mean that my actions were wrong... Jesus upset people too.