There’s a saying that, “a prophet is not without honor except in his own town.”
For whatever reason, sometimes those closest to greatness can’t even see it. Especially if that person challenges us or calls us to a higher standard.
It’s one thing if they’re from somewhere else. But if we grew up together in the same place, in the same environment, with the same opportunities, it can be a different story. Perhaps we can’t change our perception of who this person is, still seeing them as the kid we once knew, and not the person they’ve become. Or maybe there’s a sense that acknowledging what they’ve done or what they’re saying also highlights our failure to do the same.
Whatever the reason, the phenomenon happens. The question is, will it happen to us? Will we miss the challenge and the truth that others around us may bring, because we’ve grown too familiar with the messenger?