I need a bigger mower!

They persecuted Me, and they persecuted the prophets. This is what happens when you make a stand—what happened to Me. People get angry. They don’t like you anymore.” Jesus didn’t need the approval of man, “for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2: 25 HCSB)— insincerity, false flattery, selfish interests, the fickle winds of change.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 506-508). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

So where do I fit in? I clearly know that I am not Jesus, so I do not think that I have a Messiah complex. So do I just shut up? Do I join the crowd of those who just want everyone to get along?

I just have such a hard time doing that. I wish I didn't sometimes.

I think I get this Scripture. I am not perfect. I am a fickle SOB at times. But doesn't that describe everyone? Isn't that why we need Jesus in our lives? If being a better neighbor saves me, then I'll just go around and put money in everyone's mailbox, join the Rotary Club, and mow everyone's lawn on my block. I need an excuse to get a big, awesome lawn machine anyway.

But where is the persecution in that? Is that really what taking up my cross means, or are there deeper things that I might be trying to avoid by taking such a course? These are tough questions.

Jesus knows my heart. Even if I look like the greatest neighbor in the world, He still knows that I am fickle. But He loves me, and that is the heart of the gospel, it is what I live by, and it is what gives me hope and motivation to keep on.