misunderstood

Mark 3:21-22 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

How reassuring it is to know that I am not the only one who feels misunderstood. Jesus' parents thought He was crazy too! And others thought He was possessed by Satan! I guess that is kind of like people telling you that you need to stop listening to Satan's plan for your life.

I dropped out of college a week ago from today. I know what I want to do with my life (something most people my age are still figuring out), and I don't need a diploma to do it. Therefore, when I got the MRI results back from the doctor for my ankle, it only made sense that God was telling me His plan for my life was different than the one I had come up with. What reason was there to stay in school? I prayed that I would have a peace about dropping out if God wanted me to do it, and I did. So I left. There's a lot more to this story but let's face it... no one will understand anyway.

After I left, the reality set in that following God's will for my life would not be easy. Truthfully, I did not think dropping out was that big of a deal. I could always finish later if I wanted to. But then I realized that no one likes you stepping out of line. They call me an idiot. A dumbass. They look at me funny when I tell them that school just is not for me. They say it's my evil spirit of rebellion that is causing me to throw my life away. I feel like I am the most misunderstood person on this planet right now.

Jesus says in Luke 4 that "no prophet is accepted in his own hometown." I don't think I am any prophet or anything, but how true is it that those closest to you, friends, family, those that think they know you the best, are the ones that never accept God's will for your life. I guess it's because they love me the most and want what is best for me. They want me to have a nice house, nice family, no financial trouble, good health, etc. But the other day Jesus told me, "I want you to know hunger." I am not sure what that means but it makes me think of that story...


Luke 9:57-62 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Or how about in Luke 14 when Jesus says, "Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."

I have come to the point where I don't expect anyone to understand. I have accepted being misunderstood because I know that Jesus Christ will stand by me no matter where I go. And I plan to continue listening to the voice of God no matter what it costs me. I praise God that He gives joy and joy abundantly to those who call on His name, and I thank every one of my friends and family that support me.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ?... No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.