I have no problem publicly expressing my joy when my favorite sports team scores. I literally scream and shout and jump up and down for joy, high-fiving anyone and everyone in the vicinity….and that’s not even eternal! Nothing wrong with that, but I recall a day in my past when I was fearful to publicly express my joy and gratitude to the Lord for saving me and setting me free. The fear of man is a lie of the enemy and a chain that too easily binds even the most devoted believer/follower of Jesus Christ. Remember Peter’s denial of Jesus?
It took me seven years from the time of my redemption to publicly declare what Jesus had done for me. It was the lie of the enemy whispered in my mind, “What will people think?” that kept me from complete honest confession and complete love and acceptance…from complete freedom. What people think of me is not an indicator of my position in Christ. What Christ thinks of me is the true indicator of my identity…and He sees me as a new creation!
When I publicly worship Jesus, whether in song, or the lifting of hands in gratitude and surrender, or in service to a world-weary person God may bring across my path, I no longer wonder what people think of me. I know. Some think I’m weird. Some think me foolish. Some think of me as fanatical. Some think me odd or old-fashioned. And I am OK with that…because not even one of those thoughts define me! In fact, if I do not express thanks to God for what He has done for me, how in the world are those caught in similar bondage ever going to know there is hope for change in knowing Jesus intimately?
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so,] Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary… Psalm 107:1-2 NASB
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3 NASB
It is in true intimacy with Christ that I find my identity. No longer am I defined by my past. No longer am I defined by what tempts me. No longer am I defined by circumstances. No longer am I defined by what people think of me. I am defined by my Maker…so what He thinks of me is all that truly matters. Below are the lyrics of a song that express what I am trying to convey to you. Read them and think about what this means to your own life.
Dennis Jernigan
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and [the glory] of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:24-26 NASB
To listen to the song, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/what-will-people-think-1556643580/
Photo courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/question-question-mark-survey-2736480/
What Will People Think?
WORDS & MUSIC - Dennis Jernigan - October 1 & 2, 1991
Verse
What will people think
If they see me gaze into Your eyes?
Does it matter they don’t realize
That someone could really love me like You do?
What will people think
If they see me let You take my hand?
Does it matter they don’t understand
All the reasons that I love You like I do?
And what will people think
When they see that love has made me weak?
Will they see that it’s just You I seek?
Will they see a love found faithful and true?
What will people think
If they see us in a holy dance?
Will they say this is a fool’s romance?
Will they see that in my weakness I need You?
Chorus
Take my hand!
Take my heart in total surrender, Lord, to all that You are!
I give You all of me in total surrender!
Total surrender!
Total surrender of all I am to You!
Verse
What will people think?
Will they see the bride of Christ in me?
Will they understand that You can be
All they ever have desired and much more?
Well, I no longer care
Let the whole world see that I love You
Let them see in me what love can do
Take my life and show them love worth dying for
Chorus