Devotion - Friday, March 28

Today's offering is from Andrew Nichols

 

Mark 6: 1-6

This is the story of Jesus being rejected by the people in his hometown of Nazareth. Prior to it Jesus had been healing people, working miracles, and attracting followers with his new teaching. But the reaction he gets in Nazareth is one of indignation. The people there do not feel that this man they have known – Mary and Joseph’s son, the carpenter – is worthy of their respect just because he’s somehow acquired some strange new wisdom. Jesus is amazed by their unbelief and, because of it, is unable to work any miracles there.

In his devotion this past Wednesday night, Pastor Chris spoke of an experience from the Spring Break trip in D.C. which opened his eyes to the way we consistently fail to see – really see – others around us. Going along with that idea, I believe this passage challenges us to look more deeply at the people who surround us in community and to be open to the ways God works through them.

How often do we fail to see the blessings that the people in our life are to us? How often do we fail to see God revealed in them?  And how often do we talk loved ones down from dreams that we feel are too lofty, unrealistic, or risky for them?

It is all too easy to decide that we have the people in our lives – our friends, family, and neighbors – “figured out”. They become familiar and we believe we know what they have to offer. But when we feel this way we run the risk of closing off the people who can most easily open our eyes to God’s work in the world. When we feel this way we fall – through good intentions – in danger of trapping those around us into positions where they are not able to perform the “miracles” they might otherwise be capable of.

When you talk to the people who you love and who fill your life on a daily basis realize that you are talking to children of God. Look into their eyes and know that behind them lies an entire universe that you are privileged to be shown a portion of. And understand that they always have something to offer you and are capable of performing great things in this world with the belief and support of those around them.