It Doesn't Matter What People Think!
What does God think?
What Does God Think?
It is a typical Sunday morning going to church. I am running a little late, so I push the fifty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit to sixty. Then I look over as I pass a car and realize it is a member of the Bible class I teach. What will she think about my speeding?
I walk into the church and am in a hurry to set up the room where I teach. One of the greeters greets me with a warm welcome (after all, that is what they are supposed to do). I am in a hurry, so I just nod my head and walk on by. Later, I reflect on the encounter and wonder if they thought I was rude.
It takes longer than usual to set up the class, which makes me late for the worship service. The pastor is giving the announcements as I walk down the aisle to where my wife is already seated. I am sure the pastor sees me. As I sit down, I silently say, “I wonder what he thinks about my coming in late.”
Most of us have this malady called, “What are people really thinking about me?” We can’t help it. We have been brought up that way - shaped by our parents, teachers, and other well-meaning adults. Growing up, we hear, “Don’t slouch, stand up straight.” “Speak up so people can hear you.” “Mind” your manners.” Or, the proverbial, “Be sure to wear clean underwear. You never know if you will get into an accident.”
All of these things boil down to one lesson. What people think of you matters! And it does. At least to a certain extent. We all want to be accepted and liked. We do not want others to think badly of us. However, when it comes to our involvement in church, considering what others think can actually become an idol.
Dallas Willard said, “If we honestly compared the amount of time in church spent thinking about what others think or might think with the amount of time spent thinking about what God is thinking, we would probably be shocked.”1
The writer of Hebrews warns that we might be unaware that we are entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2). For many of us, the danger of unknowingly worshiping idols may be an even greater danger. God should be primary in our lives! Period! Whatever happens on Sunday morning, or any other time, that results in our being more concerned about than our worship and praise of God is an idol. But are we aware that these things are idols?
Is thinking about others or what they think about us our focus while we are in church? Or is our focus on God and what he thinks of us?
Here are some reflection questions to consider.
Is God pleased with my spiritual engagement this morning?
Have I worshipped God in truth and spirit or for show?
Have I asked God to help me block out any distractions to my engaging him?
Am I bringing any unconfessed sin into worship or Bible study?
If I have done something that might have been misunderstood or offended anyone, have I gone to that person and asked for their forgiveness?
Focusing our thoughts and emotions on what other people think distracts us from focusing on what God thinks.
What God thinks is really all that matters!
1 Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998), 202.