Family Disapproval

"When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat.  When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him home with them.  'He's out of his mind,' they said" - Mark 3:20-21 (NLT).

Family members can be our biggest critics.  Jesus' family was no exception, for at this point in his ministry, they were telling people he was out of his mind. 

Often those who should be closest to us, appreciate our talents the least, and notice our faults the most.  Of course, Jesus had no faults, but his family believed that he did.

And what had Jesus done?  Nothing except to give himself away in ministry.  But since his actions seemed to make no sense to his family, they made fun of him.  He was not eating regularly to minister to others, so his family thought he was insane.

Sometimes we must do what God has called us to do, and what our hearts feel deep conviction to do, whether or not those closest to us will understand, and even if they think us insane.

They may criticize us - - sometimes brutally.  They may make fun of us, or reject us because we have given ourselves completely to God.  They may angrily oppose us because they do not understand what we are doing, and feel that they know what's best for us.

It's okay.  Don't hate them.  Just move on, and keep serving God.  As Jesus would later say, our family does not consist only of those who are related to us by birth and blood, but of those who serve God as we do.  "Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" Jesus said (See Matthew 12:46-50).

If you have experienced rejection by your earthly family, forgive them, and concentrate on your spiritual family.  Bond with those who know our blessed Christ, and who serve him with you.  These are God's gifts to you to help you through today, and provide you with the love you are lacking - - the love that your family is not giving you, or maybe never gave you.

You may have grown up as a victim of abuse; your heart may have been broken by your parents constant fighting or divorce; alcohol or drugs may have ruled and shattered your home; you may have been brutalized, raped, or molested; perhaps your sibling received more love and attention than you, and your parents constantly played favorites - - and maybe they still do; maybe some in your family are your worst present-day critics.  Whatever the case may be, if your family has hurt or abandoned you, or thinks you are insane, you are in good company - - the same thing happened to Jesus.  

Every day in my classes in the High School where I teach, I meet kids who have suffered family rejection or endured chaos in the home.  Their countenance is often fallen, and they seek love anywhere they can find it - - even if this means sleeping with someone, or joining a gang, or hanging out with other kids that are into dark activities.  They yearn for love and acceptance, and will accept it from almost anywhere.

Such is often the plight and path of those suffering family disconnection or chaos.

If you have been rejected or hurt or abandoned by your family, do not spend your days searching for love in all the wrong places, or regretting what your family has done to you.  Instead, gather your spiritual family around you, and love them with all your might.  God will provide a new family for you, but you must open up your heart to those he sends, and leave the past behind.

That's what Jesus did.  He loved his family, but he just kept serving God, and gathering about him those who would become his new, larger, more accepting family.

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