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“You don’t really care about people until you don’t care what they think. Until you’ve been crucified to their opinions of you, you can’t really help them the way you should.”

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2011-01-18) from his book, Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny (p. 72). Multnomah Books. Kindle Edition.

I have learned in my later years how to get to know people so I can help them.  I don’t remember where I found this but it has really helped me.  Here it is:
I am not what I think I am,
I am not what you think I am.
I am what I think you think I am.
Did you get that?  Read it again… I am not what I think I am; I am not what you think I am; I am what I think you think I am.  It doesn’t really matter what the truth is but what I think the truth is.  Now of course in deeper relationships the real truth is what matters but that's for another time.

I know some people who believe that nobody likes them so they go through life very alone and very afraid.  It doesn’t matter what the truth is.  The truth is there is one person who likes them, me, because I have chosen to like everybody.  But it still doesn’t matter what the truth is if they believe something else.

Let’s say that you like me but because you may be shy and because of that I believe you don’t like me that fact will control my relationship with you, not the truth which is you like me.  So can you see how that would be something that controls your initial approach toward people?

Now because I believe that everyone likes me I have lots of friends.  In my life I have used that belief, a very warm real smile, a strategic sitting place in Starbucks, a series of basic statements/questions and a daily presence at the same time and same place for a series of days to get to know a lot of people.  This in turn means that God has allowed me to minister to hundreds of people who never ever have heard me preach.   

Just as I was sitting in my Oceanside, New York Starbucks writing this blog an older lady came in who I knew had lost her place to live and I asked her about it so she sat down and we talked about her options.  The truth is I talked to another person just a moment before who had lost their home to flooding and also was looking for options.  They knew I cared and I was a part of dealing with what they could do.

There are people in your life who need what you have to offer them who need you to become their friend.  So put aside your fear of what they think of you and reach out in confidence and become their friend.  The opportunity is unlimited for people who care about people not about what they think about them.

Remember, I am not what I think I am; I am not what you think I am; I am what I think you think I am.   So step out and make a difference.

What do you think? 
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