Luke 4:24
"Amen I tell you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown."
Jesus spoke these words when he returned to his hometown of Nazareth and was teaching in the synagogue. He read Isaiah 61:1-2. When he finished he proclaimed, "Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Amazingly, this didn't excite the people who were there. Instead, they began to question his credibility. They all knew him. Many of them had grown up with him. They knew his parents, his brothers, and his sisters. As Jesus continued, the people only got angrier. They already knew him so they had already defined in their own minds who he was and what his place was among them. The place they had decided for him was not that of the Messiah.
When Jesus didn't do any miracles, but instead pointed out to them that their forefathers had rejected Elijah and Elisha, the people tried to kill Jesus.
This may be how you're feeling right now: You want to be part of the ministry of your congregation or organization, but the people "in charge" have already defined your role as being something else. Often, it can be very difficult to break into ministry if you are still a part of the church that you grew up in, especially if you haven't had any formal training. It's amazing how elitist and credentialist the church can be.
Thankfully God is not. He actually prefers to use the un-credentialed to shame those with an elitist mentality. Just look at who Jesus chose to be his apostles. He didn't go to the temple or the synagogue to find the men he would call to that ministry. He went to the lake shore and to the tax collector's booth.
This lesson isn't just for service in the public ministry. No matter what field you are in, you will run into this attitude at different times. Any time that you step out of line and begin to pursue something new, something better, this danger is always lurking. People like you playing your role, the role they are comfortable with. They don't always like it when you decide to change or redefine your role; especially if you are doing something to try to totally change you life for the better.
If you don't believe me, start homeschooling your children, or start a business, or quit your job and start studying for public ministry. Actually, you don't have to do any of these things, just start telling people that you are thinking about it, or that you are going to. Stand back and watch their reactions. You will be amazed at the sage advice and wisdom you receive. Usually, it will be an attempt to discourage you from pursuing your purpose.
Some will be encouraging. You will be surprised, though, by how many are not. Many will encourage you to reconsider your decision. If you haven't dealt with this before, you will be surprised by how often the attitude you get is, "Who do you think you are to do this?"
Don't take this reaction personally. This is the way we are all naturally wired because of our sinful nature. When you decide to do something great with your life you expose the fact that most people aren't doing great things with theirs. Your light exposes their mediocrity and apathy. Non-achievers want to believe that everyone is like them. It makes it easier to continue making excuses to themselves.
Don't let them hold you back. You need to do what you've been called to do to inspire some of them out of their mediocrity. God has prepared, in advance, works for each of us to do. You need to faithfully honor your call, so you can help others recognize and submit to theirs.
Don't give in to your critics and nay-sayers. Instead, listen to the only voice that truly matters, God's. Submit to his call and his plan and it won't matter what anyone else thinks. Just be prepared for the opposition. Satan opposed Jesus. He will oppose you. That's why Jesus gives us the promise, "Stay faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
God bless
Jason Fredrick
This lesson isn't just for service in the public ministry. No matter what field you are in, you will run into this attitude at different times. Any time that you step out of line and begin to pursue something new, something better, this danger is always lurking. People like you playing your role, the role they are comfortable with. They don't always like it when you decide to change or redefine your role; especially if you are doing something to try to totally change you life for the better.
If you don't believe me, start homeschooling your children, or start a business, or quit your job and start studying for public ministry. Actually, you don't have to do any of these things, just start telling people that you are thinking about it, or that you are going to. Stand back and watch their reactions. You will be amazed at the sage advice and wisdom you receive. Usually, it will be an attempt to discourage you from pursuing your purpose.
Some will be encouraging. You will be surprised, though, by how many are not. Many will encourage you to reconsider your decision. If you haven't dealt with this before, you will be surprised by how often the attitude you get is, "Who do you think you are to do this?"
Don't take this reaction personally. This is the way we are all naturally wired because of our sinful nature. When you decide to do something great with your life you expose the fact that most people aren't doing great things with theirs. Your light exposes their mediocrity and apathy. Non-achievers want to believe that everyone is like them. It makes it easier to continue making excuses to themselves.
Don't let them hold you back. You need to do what you've been called to do to inspire some of them out of their mediocrity. God has prepared, in advance, works for each of us to do. You need to faithfully honor your call, so you can help others recognize and submit to theirs.
Don't give in to your critics and nay-sayers. Instead, listen to the only voice that truly matters, God's. Submit to his call and his plan and it won't matter what anyone else thinks. Just be prepared for the opposition. Satan opposed Jesus. He will oppose you. That's why Jesus gives us the promise, "Stay faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
God bless
Jason Fredrick
Dad and are so proud of you for what you have accomplished. I understand not having credibility with people you know. My parents paid for my nursing education yet when they became ill or developed a medical condition my medical advise was never acknowleged
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