I have the following poem hanging in my office. I don’t know who wrote it, or I would give them credit.
They may see the good you do
as self serving.
Continue to do good.
They may see your generosity
as grandstanding.
Continue to be generous.
They may see your warm and caring nature
as a weakness.
Continue to be warm and caring.
For you see, in the end,
it is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.
So often we worry about what others think of what we do or what we say. But truly the only one that matters is God. For if we do what is right in God’s eyes, most of the time most people will see that we have done what is right. When they do, God will be glorified.
This poem reminds me of two great verses in the Bible:
Matthew 5:15-16 – “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
1 Peter 2:11-12 – “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
So never forget, it’s between you and God. If we all try to do what is pleasing to God, the world will be a better place.