Do They LIKE You or TOLERATE You?

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“We want Hyundai to make the kind of car you want to buy, no the kind of car you have to buy.” – Hyundai founder Chung Ju-Yung

I read this quote a few days ago in this article.

While Chung said that in respect to a car, I think we should have the same moto and ask the same questions that Chung so elegantly highlight for Hyundai Motors.

Am I someone that people LIKE to be around, or someone that people HAVE to be around?

Now, the answer can be both.

The answer should be both. You and I should be in close enough proximity to people and in relationships with people that have to be around us.

These are the people at work,
at the grocery store,
the people at our church, etc.

BUT,

Those people should also WANT to be around us.

I look at the life of Jesus, the places he went and the people that gathered around him as he went, and see a life lived in such a way that people HAD to be around Him, but also WANTED to be around him. In fact, there was one time where a lady wanted to be around him so much, she was willing to risk it all and grab his jacket just so she could get a touch from Him. Another time, a guy climbed a tree so he could be around Jesus.

Grant it, we’re not Jesus, but our Bibles tell us to be like Him.

To be people that other people WANT to be around….
Not people that others think, “Gosh, I gotta spend the day with them!”

So, we can all take a lesson from Hyundai…
Well, Jesus really.

Be someone others WANT to be around.

Are you?
Am I?

Thoughts? Share in the comments.

[My Pastor, Artie Davis has a book coming called ‘Craveable‘ about this. Look for it soon!]


Comments

8 responses to “Do They LIKE You or TOLERATE You?”

  1. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Another good word from one of my favorite people to be around!!!

    1. haha… Thanks, Robin. Love ya

  2. Why not have the best of both worlds? When you are someone people like to be around it could mean a couple of things. Obviously number one is that they enjoy your company. Number two is that in some way you are adding value to their lives. When making someone’s life better, most people realize that they HAVE TO start hanging around that person. Because when you make a sincere effort to surround yourself with those that make you better, that is when you have the greatest potential to grow.

    1. Great point, Blake

  3. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Great thoughts Jonathan! Love the way you think! I really really enjoy her blog. Seems like I retweet more than half the things you say! Thanks for beings voice!

    1. What’s wrong with the other 1/2 of what i say?!?! :) J/K. Thanks Heather, that means a lot. Thank you for reading.

  4. Aric Jorgan Avatar
    Aric Jorgan

    well, personally i’d like for people to actually “like to be with me” rather than “have to be with me” … that’\s just my personal opinion though and some other people here might now agree with me… i just like others to genuinely like me

  5. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Haha!!!! I was reading this thinking it was so fantastic and starte reading the comments and there I was!!! Forgotten that I commented the first time you posted!! And I never saw your response. For the record I like like everything you tweet!!!! :):)
    Thanks for sharing your stuff. Makes me want to write on my blog I started a year ago.
    http://www.barefootbygrace.blogspot.com

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