I’d like to think that at age 48 I’ve learned not to worry about pleasing others or to fear what other people think.

But it turns out that I do. Certainly, I’ve grown in this in certain areas of my life. In other areas, I need to check myself. One area I’m particularly aware of is politics.

Maybe it’s because we, as a society, have drawn such hard lines politically and I just don’t find myself aligning with any one place completely. It seems so much of life beliefs need to (according to the world) fit into one of two political boxes.

Maybe I’m afraid of what other Christians will think of my opinions because it’s been said that an increasing number of us are likely to be guided by and conform our thinking to our political views more than the Bible. My non-Christian friends and loved ones feel just as strongly about politics. More and more I feel that I’m more in the middle than adhering to one particular political agenda.

Here are some typical things I might find myself wondering:

If I say I want to somehow care for refugees, will I be branded a liberal by my conservative friends?

If I say I want to protect our borders, will I be branded as a hateful and racist conservative by my liberal friends?

If I want to talk about justice, someone might tell me I’ve been deluded by the liberal agenda.

If I say a certain race matters, will some think I’m cluelessly excluding the unborn and everyone else?

If I say blue lives matter, will some even assume I’m O.K. with police violence because of the actions of a small percentage of police officers?

If I agree to wear a mask during this pandemic, I’ve read that I’m a naive sheep following whatever people tell me to do.

If I don’t agree to wear a mask, I’ve read that I don’t care about other people’s lives.

Somehow those last two have also become political!

Indeed, somehow the desire to care for others’ hearts, minds, and bodies has become political.

I know…I shouldn’t care, right? You do you. I do me.

But I’m not like that. I do care.

I think the bible speaks to some extent about the above. Yet, I find they are explosive issues among Christians and among my non-Christian friends. Following Christ might actually look like a messy mix of all the above! I want to hold a variety of opinions and beliefs that don’t necessarily all fit into one party, group, or camp. I don’t want to be labeled anything but a Christ-follower. Is that even possible? I want to be able to say that God’s ways are higher and we’re unable able to cram them into a box with a label slapped on it. I’m even willing to say, “I’m not sure where I stand on that, I hold it loosely.”

I want to say that if someone holds their opinions, feelings, or political beliefs over God’s Word then I shouldn’t allow myself to fear them. But at some point, and in some circumstances, I cross the line from wanting to speak to remaining quiet on an issue because of fear.

I’ve never made my blog a platform to speak about social or political issues. I am recognizing, though, that social and political issues are impacted by how we think and act. Since my blog is all about how we, as Christians, think and act in light of the gospel, I want to ask this question of myself. Maybe it is a good question for you to ask yourself too? Maybe it’s even a question for you to request that your children ask themselves.

Who am I trying to please?

The apostle Paul once said:

“Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.” – Galations 1:10

I’m concerned that I may, at times, serve the desires of others rather than serve Christ…even when I keep quiet! And those “others” represent a very wide spectrum of people. I can’t possibly be agreeable with everyone.

It’s time to turn back to the truth. There is just One that really matters.

Os Guinness once said…

“I live before the Audience of One—before others, I have nothing to gain, nothing to lose, nothing to prove.”

The Audience of One is, unlike man, so very gracious to us. We are never safe if we put our safety in the hands and hearts of humans. We are only safe in Christ.

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” – Proverbs 29:25

Here are two bonus questions that we can ask after the first one:

Who do I fear? Why?

Why is it important for me or you not to upset a certain person or people? Maybe there is a good reason. Maybe we’re trying to heal a broken relationship and dwelling on certain issues will only make that harder. But what will you do if you find out you fear what people (Christian or not) think of your biblical beliefs?

The other bonus question:

What would it look like if I only cared what God thinks?

This is what I’m pondering this week. I’m taking a baby step or two out of my comfort zone to help me break away from caring too much what others think. Is there something you can do in an area of your life?

If you would like more questions to ask yourself and others, sign up for my newsletter below and you’ll receive a free booklet I’ve put together called Asking Is Loving as well as a free course on being transformed by God’s Word called Empowered By Truth.

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