What will other people think?

I Corinthians 10: 29b

For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? NIV

Paul is speaking here.  He’s addressing the subject of what to eat and when.  It seems, however, from the translation in The Message, that he has a much larger point than just rules about eating meat.

“But, except for these special cases, I’m not going to walk around on eggshells worrying about what small-minded people might say; I’m going to stride free and easy, knowing what our large-minded Master has already said.” MSG

In my experience, disregarding the potential condemnation of other “small minded people,” is something that makes sense in principle, but, it is hard to accomplish in real life.

“What will other people think?” is a scary question for many of us.  I’m certain that it is a cause for worry.

In 2010, this question has many dimensions … too many to contemplate.

The most important opinion is God’s.  If what I choose to do is right and is of God, I can step forward in complete confidence.

That’s what I’ll think about today.

Be confident in God

Psalm 27:3

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.  NIV

David wrote this Psalm.  Earlier in the project, I looked at the first verse of this chapter.  But now, as I continue working through the “fear not” listings in my King James concordance, I’ve found myself back in this beautiful passage.

As I think about this verse in the context of the story of Jehoshaphat, it is truly a message of comfort.

I don’t expect that my little suburban existence will entail an army of flesh-and-blood soldiers besieging me, but sometimes it feels as though the worries that I face are like armies at war against me.

At those times, I will focus on the message of this verse, and I will be confident in God.

That’s what  I will think about today.

Joshua 10:25

Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Be strong and courageous.  This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” NIV

I’ve heard it said that if you are trying to teach something, listen for your own words coming back to you from the learner.  When you start to hear back from them the things that you’ve been saying to them, you can have some level of confidence that the lesson has been assimilated.

That’s what I think is interesting about these verses that I’ve been looking at over the last week or so.

God repetitively gives this message to the Israelites.  Moses assimilates it, and repeats it to Joshua, but, Moses dies before Joshua leads the people into the promised land.

God then gives this message to Joshua, and now, Joshua is delivering the message to the people, “Don’t hold back.  Don’t be timid.  Be strong!  Be confident!” MSG

What a great message for today!