Over time, I have gotten so many clandestive encouragements and praises from my church as if fearing that I would leave the church. What they should really be aware of is that perhaps it is harder to get rid of me than to keep me, without having to deal with God seriously. If I have already despised America and its ways, how is it that I would be afraid of any of them who could only hide behind Uncle Sam, that I would run away?
Typical yet interesting. I've often find that special look on those faces, they thought they could help someone, but actually it is themselves who need more help instead, even more embarrassing for them is that the help would come from one they thought they were helping.
Of course, there are cases where we actually do help others with the right assumption that they needed our help to begin with, and that is definitely good.
So what is wrong with the picture? Those who thought they are teachers themselves become students and those they "imagine" to be their students are actually their teachers -- whether they like it or not.
So in the end, they could either accept the fact, humbly, or be like the Pharisees who so loved to stone Christ. As for those who would just try very hard to stay away with discomfort and silence and occasional jealous remarks, they are just delaying the inevitable. The truth will always be the truth. Once they accepted the truth and come out humbly, it will set them free.