In his book, A Camaraderie of Confidence, John Piper talked about one of the lessons from the life of Spurgeon, and that is not to be paralyzed by external criticism. However, he quotes a story from Tim Stafford in Christianity Today to remind the reader not to take this advice as a way to hinder the process of sanctification in their lives.
Spurgeon was somewhat of an introvert. Tahimik at mahiyain lang siya. Kaya lang, dahil dito ang tingin ng iba sa kanya ay snobbish at unfriendly. Ang ginawa niya, pinilit niya maging mas friendly sa mga tao. Pinilit niyang ngumiti. Pinilit nyang palaging bumati.
Ayaw na ayaw nya ito at first. Pakiramdam niya hindi natural, para siyang nagpapaka plastik, like he is making an act. He hated it. “It felt horribly unnatural. I despised having to watch my words… Why couldn't I just be myself?”
But he kept doing it and something happened. Everything became natural. Sabi niya: "I found I got used to the act I was putting on. Over months and years it grew comfortable. Eventually, it became liberating. It became me."
Isang aral 'to sa atin na nagpapaalala na hindi sagot ang "pagpapakatotoo" bilang dahilan para hindi tayo magbago. Ang “pagpapakatotoo” at ang pagiging “hindi plastic” ay hindi sapat na excuse para hindi tayo lumago sa ating pakikitungo sa ibang tao. Unfortunately, nagiging dahilan ito minsan ng mga Kristyano, para halimbawa ay hindi pigilan ang sarili nila na magsalita ng masakit kapag may galit sila sa iba. Ang dahilan nila - "at least hindi ako plastic". Ang pagsusumikap na maging maayos sa pakikitungo sa iba lalo na sa mga taong ayaw natin ay hindi lang pagiging "plastic". We still have to rein in our anger and our tongues. This is part of our Christian growth. We who are in Christ are meant to reflect God's image. Being good to other people, even if it's difficult or feels unnatural or even "plastic", can grow within us by God's grace. So keep on doing it. Until it becomes comfortable and liberating.
Until we can say, by God's grace, this is me.
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