An old fable that has been passed down for
generations tells about an elderly man who
was traveling with a boy and a donkey.

As they walked through a village,
the man was leading the donkey and the boy
was walking behind. The townspeople said the
old man was a fool for not riding,
so to please them he climbed up on the animal’s back.

When they came to the next village,
the people said the old man was cruel to let the
child walk while he enjoyed the ride.
So, to please them, he got off and set the
boy on the animal’s back and continued on his way.

In the third village, people accused the child of
being lazy for making the old man walk, and the
suggestion was made that they both ride.
So the man climbed on and they set off again.

In the fourth village, the townspeople were indignant
at the cruelty to the donkey because he was
made to carry two people. The frustrated man was
last seen carrying the donkey down the road.

We smile, but this story makes a good point:
We can’t please everybody, and if we try we
end up carrying a heavy burden.

Well-meaning Christians may offer us advice,
and much of it is valuable. But when we try
to do everything other believers want us to do,
we can easily become frustrated and confused.

That’s why we need to remember that the One
we must please above all others is Christ.
And we do that by obeying God’s Word.
Carried any donkeys lately?

You don’t have to if you’re trying to please Jesus.
~Author Unknown~

© Tina's Prayer Gate March 25, 2014