DISCLAIMER: This is not written to be recognized. I trust that those who know me will also know that my motif is pure. We simple share the lessons we learn to encourage one another and share the vastness of God’s love and care.
To be a people pleaser is a dreadful thing. The root often lies much deeper than the world can see, and to be freed from it is not that easy.
When you do not get the acknowledgement your people-pleasing-self longs for, your heart tends to dry out and shrivel up. In its emptiness it often leaves very little to share with others.
But Spirit works with my heart and prunes and cuts to destroy the tentacles of being “good enough” at its source. (Some days are better than others.)
During a particularly hard time a few weeks ago, the enemy got it into my head that I really can’t do anything right and clearly have nothing to offer. And this, simply because I didn’t get the worldly recognition that my people-pleasing-soul was craving.
With the prayers of faithful friends, I stepped away from that ledge and was reminded once more that what I was doing was not for the world, but for the Lord.
And this chorus started playing in my head: “Just be Jesus.”
Now this was just the provocation the devil was waiting for.
First one thing went wrong, and then another, and before I knew what was happening, I was on my way to a horse championship as the main sponsor – without one piece of product to promote.
Of course, I just wanted to crawl headfirst into the nearest hole without having to explain this latest predicament, but I get in my car, and I get myself there. The next two and a half hours are spent thinking that if I then have no product to sell, at least I could share love and friendliness and joy with those I meet.
Just be Jesus.
And then the gates of heaven opened! Within five days I sold more than at any previous show. People were giving me money and walking away with the mere promise that they would receive their product next week. If that is not Divine favour, then I don’t know what is!
Throughout the show I could assist and help a few people that needed help with things that had zero, zip, nothing to do with our business. An energy and passion came upon me, and my smile stayed securely stuck to my face.
Just be Jesus.
And yet… Worldly recognition for worldly achievements is still a longing, and at night, alone in my hotel, my heart threatens to wither. Good, but not good enough.
A few days later, however, I receive a video from a friend and a whole new understanding make me lift my head.
(God’s timing is always best.)
The preacher talks about how the devil attacked Job in chapter 1 and took first one thing, then another, from Job. The waves of devastating tidings just would not stop. Again, and again and again Job is bitterly disappointed, and his heart crushed.
Still… Job refuses to renounce the Lord. So much so that there is a chapter 2. The devil had to go back to God with a new plan, since all his attempts ended in failure.
The enemy’s goal is to weaken our resolve.
He couldn’t do it with Job and had to devise a new plan, for his main aim was to steal Job’s commitment to the Lord.
Never. Not going to happen.
“So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? Or my drink? Or my clothes?’ (These are the things the ungodly are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what He requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things.” Matthew 6:33 Good News Translation
With perfect timing, Father God sends message upon message from those that I got to share love and sisterly affection with this week, and I realise again what is the most important: Just be Jesus. The sales were a bonus. This confirmation that people could see and experience Jesus, now that was the crown on this week.
Even my people-pleasing was tamed. The voices from those that I could shower with love and attention this week, echoed much louder than the void of silence from the world.
All the worldly tasks and goals and requirements are put in our path to be fulfilled to the best of our ability. When we do it with the love of Jesus, our heart’s reward is much, much bigger than whatever the world can offer us.
Just be Jesus.
This song is a new discovery, and daily lifts my spirit: No limits
