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Forsaking All Others

Mark 3:31-34 (NLT) Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you." Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he looked at those around him and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

I have always had such difficulty with this scripture. As a mother and a sister, I cannot imagine going to hear my child or my sibling preach The Good News only to be dismissed like Jesus seemingly did to His family. I can almost hear myself saying, "and just who does he think he is?" However, I believe I now have a better understanding of what this means. Jesus was not so dismissive out of disrespect nor was He saying He did not love them. Only, God the Father and His will would take priority.

You see, I am finding ways in which I have put everyone, everything, myself included over the divine will of the Father. An easy example of this would be fasting. So many times I have felt the need to fast, a drawing to fast. Well, you can bet when you set out to fast that is the time EVERYONE will invite you to dinner or surprise you with a delectable dessert! Or if you are an emotional eater, that will be the day the sky will fall in and you can't run to the nearest grease pit for a binge. (Which okay, you shouldn't do that anyways, but that's a blog for another day!)

Another example would be not following the leading of the Holy Spirit to do or say something because you don't want your friends or family to think you are weird or "in a cult!" Often times we will laugh at a dirty joke or sit through a filthy movie or television show so as not to "make waves" or offend our host. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." You do not have to stay in a situation you know is not pleasing to God. He will provide a way of escape.

We should be so in tuned to God's plan for our life and so driven to accomplish what He created us to do and who He created us to be that we absolutely will refuse to allow anything or anyone stand in our way! Isn't it so good to know that God is faithful and He will help us do the very things He has called us to do? His Word promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. Shouldn't we do the same for Him?

Matthew 19:29
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."

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