"Ask Me If I Care"

If the watchmen of God ever hope to be effective, they must come to a place where they no longer care what other people think of about them. Oh, they care but, then again, they don’t care. As Paul once said about his critics, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment:”

When it comes to what others think about them, they seldom care anymore. Oh, they care but, then again, they don’t care. As Paul once said about his critics, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment:”

I don’t care what all the pro-church pastors and leaders think about me and those who have chosen to leave churchianity behind. Their tirades, posturing, and stone throwing are as effectual as throwing marshmallows against a stone wall. I am no longer bothered by church boosters, cheerleaders, or crusaders either.

Having been there myself, I understand their self-righteous indignation, their smug sense of superiority, and their chest-thumping bravado. I even understand their justifications for their holy hatred against anyone who would dare to stand against what they perceive as the spotless bride of Christ. But I care about what they think of me and others speaking out against their skewed views of the church as much as Elijah felt about what the prophets of Baal thought about him. I once walked in their footsteps and know that they will do their utmost to defend their little kingdoms, their prestige, and their livelihood.

I could care less. My attitude is not the byproduct of belligerence, willful arrogance, or callous indifference. It is merely the acceptance of spiritual reality. It is the place one comes to when they have accepted the reality that it is futile to cast our pearls before swine or be intimidated by the negative opinions of others. I no longer care about the insidious conspiracy of silence that prevails in most churches. I am no longer intimidated by their threats, name-calling and condemnation. Their efforts to suppress, stifle, and stigmatize the watchman’s word fall on deaf ears. They can bluster and rage all they want but the fear of man does not concern me in the least. "For if God be for us, who can stand against us?"

I have heard all of their tired old arguments and pro-churchianity platitudes ad nauseum. It’s no big surprise any longer that the majority don’t get and won’t get it because they don't have ears to hear. As for me, I’ve reached the point as a watchman where I don’t even care that I don’t care because we know that God has called us for such a time as this.

Unlike so many self-promoters today who hunger and thirst for fame and the praises of men, worldly acclaim means nothing to a true watchman of God. I am not a serial collector of Facebook friends or seeking to be a social media star. Unlike those who strive to shine rather than serve, true watchmen are content to stand alone. They don’t care about their 15 minutes of fame. They are not lusting for “likes”, “Loves” or “I care’s” on their posts. They are not trying to start the latest church fad or fan the flames of church hype. The praises of men mean nothing to them.

They know that they will never be famous, trendy or the latest sensation. They know that being a watchman is not a path to popularity. Making a name for themselves is not their goal. The whole concept of “What’s in it for me” is anathema. They know that the call of a watchman is a call to rejection, scorn, and contempt. They don’t care what they call them, how they label them or how many agree with them. What concerns them the most is what God is saying to His people.