Chameleon-like qualities are great in chameleons, but not so much in people.
And if we aren’t careful, being a chameleon has a cyclical effect.
First – let’s learn just a bit about chameleons.
Some chameleon species are able to change their skin coloration. They vary through LOTS of different combinations ranging from pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, light blue, yellow, turquoise, and purple. (Thank you Wikipedia)
It protects them from their predators and also helps them exist in changing environments. One chameleon’s skin changes colors so it can be healthy in the excruciating heat of the desert.
Chameleons are fascinating reptiles . . . but not fascinating as people.
Unlike chameleons, we do not have to change to protect ourselves. If we do that, then there is a large chance that the relationship we are in is not a healthy one to start with.
And – if we aren’t careful, when we try to please people, we end up missing God’s purpose for our lives.
We can’t be worried about what everyone else wants for us and wants from us, and at the same time be focused on what God wants and calls us to be.
If we live trying to fulfill the purpose of a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, parent, relative, or friend . . . then we never dig deep enough to question and discern what it is that God wants from each of us. We are too busy trying to figure out “exactly” what it is that is going to make them happy.
It is when we take a step back and ask, then LISTEN to and for God, that we can figure out what it is and who it is that we are called to be.
Then, if we will have the courage to act on those nudges from God, then we will find that we have the peace and self-confidence to be our true selves. When we are our true selves, we will find that others embrace us and love us just as we are. The people who don’t like us or aren’t pleased by us will eventually fall by the wayside because we will find peace that we didn’t know before.
When God is big people have less power over us. But – when we allow PEOPLE to be big, God is diminished. And we end up in that cycle all over again . . . searching for something to bring us happiness and joy. Finding it but doing so in wrong places.
Try to take a step back from a relationship this week that is a “people pleasing” relationship. Instead of worrying or thinking about what “they” want, ask God.
Perhaps we will be surprised at how freeing that actually is in the long run.
Galatians 1:10
Common English Bible (CEB)
Paul’s leadership
10 Am I trying to win over human beings or God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I wouldn’t be Christ’s slave.
“If you try to please all, you please none.” – Aesop