Family - Friend or Foe
I recently attended a Bible Study were the subject scripture passage was Mark 6:1-8. That is the passage that tells of Jesus being rejected by the folks of his home town. The teacher reminded us that even Jesus's mother and siblings were not sure what he was up to and tried to get him to go home with them at one point. That is when Jesus declared that those who followed him were his family. And latter Jesus warned that he would devide families, and that chosing to follow him would men leaving behind one's family.
I have a very close friend who is studying to be a minister, and he does not enjoy the support of his family in his pursuit. They have questioned his desire, and even suggested that he get a "real" job instead of chasing a dream. Far from being encouraging his efforts to become a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they are detractors. And thought they do not directly fight against his efforts, if one is not your friend can it not be said that person is your foe?
Family is often an uneasy element in a person's life. We have many rosy ideals of family that do not always match reality. On thing the teacher of Bible Study said applies quite often: Familiarity breeds contempt. Because our family is familiar with us and knows all our little inadaquecies and idiocincracies they tend to give us far less credit that strangers who do not know us as well.
And then there are the expectations of parents who think they know what is best for their child. The mean well. But they often forget that only we can truly know ourselves. And only we receive from the Holy Spirit God's leading directions. Afterall, as Paul says, we walk by faith, not by sight. And none around us can see what visions the Holy Spirit through faith places in our heads.
Although it is never healthy and desirable to have a hostile relationship with one's family, it is often advisable to treat them as meer acquantices with whom we can be polite, but of whom we should also be cautious. It is not rude or unkind to measure the motives of those around us, including family. For the things they say and do may be directed more at getting us to see and do things their way, rather than truly assisting us in follow the path assigned to us by God.
Family can, and is for many, a safe port in the storm. A refuge from the wild world of life. For others, whoever, it is a thorny field filled with many snares and traps. A place to be avoided. Those who enjoy the safe port should not judge those who avoid the thorny field. Likewise, those who do not enjoy the support of family should not envy those who can rely on their family for support. To each is given what is really needed for the path they are assigned.
I myself fall into a third category. Those without a family. I neither suffer from the nagging of parents and siblings who disapprove of my choices. Nor can I ever enjoy the company and comfort of a supporting family. All things concidered, I really think I have the better off without family. There is no baggage to hold me down. And there is not temptation to retreat from the daily fight of life. I go onward through the fog with the Holy Spirit as my guide and no one to try to hold me back.
May God be priased in the name of Jesus Christ.
I have a very close friend who is studying to be a minister, and he does not enjoy the support of his family in his pursuit. They have questioned his desire, and even suggested that he get a "real" job instead of chasing a dream. Far from being encouraging his efforts to become a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they are detractors. And thought they do not directly fight against his efforts, if one is not your friend can it not be said that person is your foe?
Family is often an uneasy element in a person's life. We have many rosy ideals of family that do not always match reality. On thing the teacher of Bible Study said applies quite often: Familiarity breeds contempt. Because our family is familiar with us and knows all our little inadaquecies and idiocincracies they tend to give us far less credit that strangers who do not know us as well.
And then there are the expectations of parents who think they know what is best for their child. The mean well. But they often forget that only we can truly know ourselves. And only we receive from the Holy Spirit God's leading directions. Afterall, as Paul says, we walk by faith, not by sight. And none around us can see what visions the Holy Spirit through faith places in our heads.
Although it is never healthy and desirable to have a hostile relationship with one's family, it is often advisable to treat them as meer acquantices with whom we can be polite, but of whom we should also be cautious. It is not rude or unkind to measure the motives of those around us, including family. For the things they say and do may be directed more at getting us to see and do things their way, rather than truly assisting us in follow the path assigned to us by God.
Family can, and is for many, a safe port in the storm. A refuge from the wild world of life. For others, whoever, it is a thorny field filled with many snares and traps. A place to be avoided. Those who enjoy the safe port should not judge those who avoid the thorny field. Likewise, those who do not enjoy the support of family should not envy those who can rely on their family for support. To each is given what is really needed for the path they are assigned.
I myself fall into a third category. Those without a family. I neither suffer from the nagging of parents and siblings who disapprove of my choices. Nor can I ever enjoy the company and comfort of a supporting family. All things concidered, I really think I have the better off without family. There is no baggage to hold me down. And there is not temptation to retreat from the daily fight of life. I go onward through the fog with the Holy Spirit as my guide and no one to try to hold me back.
May God be priased in the name of Jesus Christ.
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