Wednesday, July 28, 2010

It’s Tough to break free

Mark 3: 12 – 34

I have had the privilege of sitting and discussing spiritual things kings, presidents, and a pope. I have traveled to over 95 countries, seeing some of the wildest things, yet when I come to my parent’s home or to the old neighborhood, I’m still “Timmy”. My wife, Paige can tell instantly where someone knows me from because of the title they give to me. If it’s Pastor, that’s one thing, if it’s Mr. Burgan, that’s another but if it’s “Timmy” that is a dead give away. There is a level a familiarity that can be comforting, yet at the same time limiting. When I travel anywhere in the world the leaders who have known me are looking for wisdom and insight from me, the people are expecting to see miracles and the prophetic flowing. Back at home, often the feel is that’s just Tim, Timmy, Pastor Tim or Mr. Burgan. It is tough to break free of the mold people put you into. Jesus ran into that kind of problem here in Mark chapter 3.

Jesus had begun His ministry, healing the sick, casting out demons, and speaking deep spiritual truths that were shaking the established thinking. He was traveling outside of his hometown and seeing great and marvelous works. People were so moved by his insight and heart that they were dedicating their lives to follow Him. Coming home the miracles didn’t matter, the deep truths didn’t matter all they knew was this is one of our own; “He must be crazy”! When people first make a commitment to following Jesus often family and friends will reject you, thinking that you are trying to be “holier than thou”. Often it is those who are closest to us that reject us the most. It can hurt and be very disappointing. Can you imagine how Jesus felt here when His relative wanted to put Him away thinking He was crazy? There are two things that we can not totally trust; the opinions of man and second our own feelings. People want us to remain in their comfort zone. When we decide to be followers of Jesus it is generally OK for most people until we begin to believe like Jesus believed, that miracles can and will happen. When we begin to believe that the world can be changed and that people need to be held to a higher standard and can live at a higher standard. It is those beliefs and others that begin to challenge the established thinking and makes people feel uncomfortable. If we decide that we will be comfortable with who we are and who Jesus is in us then the opinions of others will not matter and we will break free. If we determine to believe who Jesus is in us then when others reject us and our feeling get hurt we overcome our own feelings by faith.

It is tough to break free but if we don’t we will never accomplish all that the Lord has for us. He has called us to be more than conquerors, light, salt, and ambassadors to a world that needs Jesus. We can’t do it if we remain as we were before Jesus. We must break free and become who He has called us to be!

No comments: