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Every normal kid has a phase they go through where either guys or girls are disgusting to them. I’m not sure exactly what happened with my childhood, but I seem to have skipped it.
I remember growing up and introducing my parents to my first girlfriend. I was so nervous, hoping that they would be accepting and understanding of who she was as a person. I knew that because I was only in first grade, it would be hard for my mom to look past my age and see Ashley for who she was.
Despite only being in the first grade, my parents didn’t seem to have a problem with me dating Ashley. However, if I’m being honest, that’s mostly because my first girlfriend was an imaginary one. Why I had an imaginary girlfriend, I still do not know.
I had all these thoughts of what Ashley would be like — cute, funny, and always agreeing with me. For the first and only time in my life, I had a woman that I completely understood.
As people, what I’ve noticed is that all 7 billion of us are the same. We all carry these unrealistic expectations and place them on our future spouses, or current spouses, and our parents and friends. We expect and want them to be everything that we need in life. The reality is that every time we do this, we will always be let down.
The interesting thing about coming to Christ is that we do the same thing with Him. We want Him to be this guy who doesn’t offend anyone, always tells us what we want to hear, and always leads us to go along with the status quo of society. I guess, in other words, we can say we want Jesus Christ to be just like my imaginary girlfriend, Ashley.
"45 One of the religion scholars spoke up: 'Teacher, do you realize that in saying these things you’re insulting us?'46 He said, 'Yes, and I can be even more explicit. You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help.'" - Luke 11:45 -46 AMPC
One thing I’ve realized is that most Christians think that Jesus came to bring all families together. The sad reality is that this proves that not many people are actually following the Jesus that the bible describes. In the bible, following Jeusus meant a drastic life change that only someone who was living the same way would understand. If our descions make sense to those that don't read or study the ways of Jesus, this is proof that we aren't actually following Him.
51 “Do you think I have come to give peace to the earth? No! Rather, strife and division! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or perhaps the other way around. 53 A father will decide one way about me; his son, the other; mother and daughter will disagree; and the decision of an honored mother-in-law will be spurned by her daughter-in-law.” - Luke 12:49-56 TLB
Most people are still living for themselves. That's why most of their activites revolve around friends and family that they have known for years. Isn’t it interesting that most Christians live a life that pleases God and somehow pleases all of their own family and friends at the same time?
"10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard].12 For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." - Galatians 1:10 AMPC
We see in the scriptures that Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to go to the feast in Jerusalem. And Jesus responded, “You can do what you want, but I can’t.” How can we say that we have given our life to Christ but still do whatever we want? I wonder if the slaves could choose their own schedules and career goals or were they subjected to whatever plans their master had for them?
"6 Whereupon Jesus said to them, 'My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here]. 7 The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil.'" - John 7:6-7 AMPC
In that moment, Jesus was saying that He’s living to please God, not His family.
Even when Jesus was young, He left His parents to stay in the temple and ask questions and share His thoughts. And when His parents saw Him, upset and angry, Jesus responded, “Don’t you know I must be about my Father’s business?”
"42 And when He was twelve years [old], they went up, as was their custom. 43 And when the Feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44 But, supposing Him to be in the caravan, they traveled on a day’s journey; and [then] they sought Him [diligently, looking up and down for Him] among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. 45 And when they failed to find Him, they went back to Jerusalem, looking for Him [up and down] all the way. 46 After three days they found Him [came upon Him] in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies. 48 And when they [Joseph and Mary] saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, Child, why have You treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You [distressed and tormented]. 49 And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father’s house and [occupied] about My Father’s business?" - Luke 2:42-49 AMPC
In the Bible we see that the Pharisees and Sadducees loved their version of who God was so much, that they completely ignored and killed His only Son because He looked nothing like who they thought God should be.
54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” 57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple. - John 8:54-59 NLT
In the Bible, God says on that day when we stand before Him, there will be some people who claimed to know Him and He will say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”
The reality is that we can all claim our own versions of God, but the signs and wonders in our lives will confirm if we actually follow Jesus.
"17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.19 So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it)." - Mark 16:17-20 AMPC
The Question of the Day: Do you have signs and wonders that confirm your belief in Jesus?