I recently saw a friend’s post that advised, “Surround yourself with people who believe in your dreams, encourage your ideas, support your ambitions, and bring out the best in you.” I understood my friend had good intentions, but this is wrong. Yes, surrounding yourself with supportive people is better than those who discourage you but are your dreams, ideas, and ambitions always the best for you? Is that kind of support even good? If you surround yourself with people who feed your ego, they certainly won’t “bring out the best in you.” A true friend will challenge your dreams, ideas and ambitions and you’ll be better for it.
The biggest omission in the statement is the absence of GOD. Here we go with the religious angle again! I’ve become skeptical of any advice statements that don’t mention GOD. If someone loves and wants to “bring out the best” in you, why would they not point you to the source of wisdom and overcoming power? When GOD’s plan has been replaced with yours, “the thief” is preparing “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 KJV) you.
Another problem with the statement is your life is not all about you! But it’s talking about my supporters, so it is about me. The objective is to “bring out the best in you” so you can serve GOD! It’s not so you can accumulate wealth and accomplishments, but to love, give and share Gospel with others! Why should I give my life for those who don’t deserve it? Because “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom 5:8-9 KJV). CHRIST died for you so you can live for Him!
When religious leaders asked what the great commandment is, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mat 22:37 and 39 KJV). If these “commandments” are not your dreams, ideas, and ambitions, why should anyone believe in, encourage, or support you? They shouldn’t if they truly want to “bring out the best in you.”
That’s the job of preachers! I have a life and I want to live it to the fullest! JESUS didn’t limit those commands to preachers, and neither should you. If you don’t follow JESUS’s commands, haven’t you taken His place? The scriptures are full of examples of people who tried (and failed) to go their own way and it certainly won’t “bring out the best in you!”
OK, I surrender! Do I have to become a preacher? Not necessarily, GOD might want you to grow and flourish where you are, with the dreams, ideas, and ambitions you already have. You said those were bad! If you “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psa 37:4 KJV), because His desires are yours. Now that you are seeking to obey GOD, you should “Surround yourself with people” who love GOD and will help you draw closer to Him, will help you realize GOD’s dream in your life, support you with correction, counsel, and prayer, and truly let GOD “bring out the best in you” which is love and obedience!
Wayne Lance (2022) – That’s Good News to Share!