One day in church I had a middle aged guy walk up to me and say, “I don’t like you.” And my first thought was “What are we in Junior High?” I’m sure many people have thought it over the years but I’ve never had someone walk up and say it. I just started at the church and I don’t think he really gave us a chance to get to know each other. Maybe he was part of the 6% of church members that didn’t vote for me to become their pastor.

The Apostle Paul also had a group of people that didn’t like him and it’s clear that his past reputation for persecuting Christians caused that. Later as he was living as a sold out Christ-follower he says, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 (NLT).

I saw this on Facebook and I found it encouraging and maybe you will too:

“The world is filled with people who, no matter what you do, no matter what you try, will simply not like you. But the world is also filled with those who will love you fiercely. The ones who love you they are Your People. Don’t waste your finite time and heart trying to convince the people who aren’t your people that you have value. They will miss it completely. They won’t buy what you are selling. Don’t try to convince them to walk your path with you because you will only waste your time and your emotional good health. You are not for them and they are not for you. You are not their cup of tea and they are not yours. Politely wave them along and you move away as well. Seek to share your path with those who recognize and appreciate your gifts, who you are. Be who you are. You are not everyone’s cup of tea and that is OK.” – Unknown