“When you’re trying to please people, you lose your creativity.” ~ Pastor Sethres Dixon
Tasks can mutate into challenges when we get distracted. When we have something to do, our focus should be on accomplishing the task at hand. The Bible even tells us “Whatever you do, do well.” We’re to strive for a standard of excellence in all of our work.
Sometimes, we shift our focus. While we may have begun with our eyes and minds on the end goal, we slowly drift off course and become pre-occupied with the idea that people should be pleased with our performance. No longer are we spending our energies to do well. We’ve divided our efforts into finishing the task and pleasing others.
We will not have worthwhile accomplishments when our motivation is to please others.
When we’re focused on pleasing others, we stifle ourselves. Our brainstormings and thought processes are restricted because we have applied filters to them. If an idea, even a God-given one, seems too outlandish it is not used. Instead of working on the task at hand, we’re working to cram ourselves and our tasks into the boxes and limitations that others impose. The work then becomes a drudgery. What was once enjoyable is now detestable.
May I suggest that the only audience to please is an audience of One? If we work to please God, our overall outcome will be enhanced.
God is the most innovative Being we know. The Bible describes the countless, ingenious ways of God. He plants ideas in us. We will dig deeper into our creativity knowing that with God, all things truly are possible. We’ll approach our work with excitement because this is an opportunity to do something great for God.
Will everyone be pleased? No. There are things that God uses His willing people to do that the unwilling may not be prepared for. Those who aren’t ready to move where God is leading will be uncomfortable with our enthusiasm. The enemy will also set up key people to distract us.
Let’s keep our eyes fixed on God as we work.
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Submitted by Sabrina Jacques-Rowe
