Maybe this isn’t your thing, but I want to be liked.
By you, by my husband, by my friends, by my children, by the stranger driving next to me on the road. 

This desire leads me to do things that, in fact, make many people like me. Dare I say, I’m fairly likeable? But this desire also leads me to feelings I don’t like within myself: fear of standing up for myself or others, saying yes when I should say no, feeling discouraged while disciplining my children. 

I don’t change the world by being liked. 
I don’t create positive growth by saying what people want to hear. 
I don’t end racism by going with the flow. 
I don’t raise self sufficient children by never saying no. 

If Jesus wasn’t universally liked, why do I think I should be?