Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Persecuted (08/22/24)
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TITLE: Rocking The Boat | Previous Challenge Entry
By Philippa Geaney
08/29/24 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
It’s an accepted fact within my family that I’m not the sharpest tool in their shed. To be fair, the benchmark was reasonably high, trailing as I did after a physician, a gifted musician, and the blue ribbon priest.
There was no contest and the persistent black ink that marched across my report cards declaring ‘passed,’ ‘average attempt,’ and ‘Jack could do better’ left no room to argue. And no one did.
Resignation came to save me from the frustration of forever trying, although it took time for me to hack through a lot of effort.
The saying ‘blunt instrument’ springs to mind.
But they loved me, and by becoming an expert in compliance, I learned to bask in my family’s approval and acceptance. Over time, it became my idol, stretching its needy influence more and more.
And then the unexpected happened.
I met Jesus.
I delighted to share the good news of salvation, His incredible liberation from religious requirements and laws, and my joy in obeying His commands because of my relationship with Him.
But my family was not delighted in return.
‘Jack, you’ve lost your mind.’
‘Jack, you never had an iota of sense.’
‘Jack, I think of you as walking around with a deadly disease.’
‘God only requires us to be reasonable and excellent in our work.’
The family dynamics had changed—painfully—and doubts screamed. Trouble seemed to be inside and out, leaving me perplexed as their disapproval and rejection increased. I chastised and troubled myself. My idol of approval was taking mega hits.
I have yet to learn that accepting persistent refusal of the truth is often an inevitable outcome of loving Jesus.
I was not the sharpest tool, but I could read, and Scripture told me that being with Jesus made the disciples bold. Bold to face questioning and accusations of deception from myself first and then from my loved ones. There was great encouragement in reading that the multitude, knowing the disciples to be unlearned and ignorant, were amazed at Peter’s and John’s boldness, and they took note that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13.
I needed to spend more time with Jesus. To become bolder in rejecting my onslaught of accusing thoughts and my loved ones.
His Spirit led me to Matthew 4:13, where I found out that the Saviour had not necessarily come to bring peace, but a sword a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
Spending time with His Spirit, I’m learning that His love overcomes my hurt from persistent opposition and argument, that I was blessed to suffer this way, and that my reward was great in Heaven. Matthew 5:10
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