An ancient story is told about a father & his son who were walking along a road one day with their donkey. Soon they met a man who told them how foolish they were to walk when they had a donkey that could be ridden. So the father & son hopped on.
They hadn’t gone far when another man criticized them for both riding on the donkey. They were too heavy for it, he contended, & were being inhumane. So the boy got off.
It wasn’t long before a third traveler accused the father of being inconsiderate because he made his son walk while he rode, so the two switched places.
Soon they met another person who charged that the son was not being thoughtful of his father, who was so much older than he.
When last seen, the two were trudging down the road carrying the donkey.
We often find ourselves in bad situations, when we try to please everyone. We find ourselves frustrated when we try to put a smile on everyone’s face. There are times when some, no matter what you do, will be upset with you.
There was a song years ago call “Garden Party” by Rick Nelson. In the song he states that “You can’t please everyone, so you gotta please yourself”. The statement has a little truth to it. There is no way to please everyone, but you can please the main One & be just fine, that main “One”, not being “yourself”…but God.
Paul wrote “For me, to live is Christ!” He was more concerned with pleasing Christ than just living life, he knew that truly enjoying & living life could only be accomplished in a life devoted to Christ & His will. He knew that we were ultimately accountable to God, “We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
Vern
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