Why Am I Avoided

What kind of people do you attract?

Birds of a feather flock together. So what kind of people do you spend your time with? Are they drawing you closer to God or further away from Him? More importantly, are you the light in the darkness? Or has the darkness become so familiar that nobody can tell the difference anymore?

I came across this verse this morning:

“None of the others dared to join them, but all the people respected them.” (Acts 5:13 NCV)

I think the backstory is important. The early church had just witnessed the shocking deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. God exposed their hypocrisy, and a healthy fear of the Lord spread throughout the church. It was God setting a standard. The people suddenly realized this wasn’t a social club, a networking group, or a place to gain status. God Himself was present among them. Following Christ was serious business.

So why weren’t people eager to join them?

Not because they disliked the apostles. In fact, the verse says they respected them. The issue was that casual observers no longer wanted to casually associate themselves with something so real. The hypocrites disappeared, the curious spectators kept their distance. Those looking for attention weren’t eager to sign up anymore. The cost of identifying with Christ had become clear and it was real - and serious.

Yet the very next verse says that more and more people believed in the Lord and were added to their number. The pretenders stayed away, but those whom God was drawing came anyway.

It reminds me of what Jesus said: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Light reveals things, light exposes things, ight makes it harder to hide things. It’s why Jesus also said: “People loved darkness more than light, because they were doing evil things.” (John 3:19)

Darkness doesn’t naturally run toward light. Darkness prefers darkness.

I’ve noticed something over the years while counseling people. If someone is determined to continue doing what they know is wrong, they often keep their distance from people who are walking closely with God. I’m not trying to make myself sound holy, I’ve certainly had enough failures, sins, and regrets of my own. But I have noticed that comfort attracts comfort. People usually gravitate toward others who validate the direction they already want to go.

If someone wants to gossip, they’ll find gossipers. If someone wants to drink excessively, they’ll find drinking buddies. If someone wants to pursue Christ, they’ll seek out others who pursue Christ. Birds of a feather really do flock together.

The question isn’t whether some people avoid you. The deeper question is why. If people avoid you because you’re arrogant, judgmental, or difficult, that’s not the light of Christ. But if some people become uncomfortable because your life quietly points them toward God, that’s different.

Jesus said: “Everyone who lives in the truth comes to the light.” (John 3:21)

So where are you today? Are you in the light? Do you want to be in the light?

At the end of the day, we all have to answer some very important questions. Who am I? Who do I want to become? Who do I want to worship and follow?

Because the truth is, we all worship something, we all follow something, we all organize our lives around something. What’s big in your life? Should it be in your life? Where is your devotion?

LORD, help me to be honest about myself. Show me where I am walking in darkness and where I am walking in light. Draw me closer to You. Give me the courage to live in the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. Help me become the person You created me to be, and may my life point others toward Jesus. Help me sit close daily please. IJNIP amen ♥️