Lent: With One VoiceSample

TAKING OFFENCE

We Christians often seem to be a rather touchy lot. We can take offence at others so easily. However, true worship often means discerning God’s truth through the disturbing chaos of life. Sometimes the uncomfortable packaging of the circumstances can hide a valuable gem of truth that we need to find. In Mark 6, Jesus’s family and friends saw Him through too familiar eyes, ‘So they were offended at Him’ (v.6). He wasn’t the pastor; He hadn’t been to bible school. ‘Who did He think He was?’ The consequence of their prejudice was startling: ‘He could do no mighty work there….’ (v.5). Jesus’s response was equally decisive. He didn’t stick around to be discouraged. Instead He pressed on with His mission. The results were equally startling ‘They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them’ (v.13).

FOR REFLECTION
• How often do you miss God’s voice because you don’t like the packaging?
• Would you rather stay unresponsive because you like to feel secure?
• What circumstances of family, friends and life expectations are holding back the fullness of God’s calling on your life? What do you need to do to see changes taking place?

PRAYER
Father, I confess that I often take offence at the situations I meet and can be judgmental of external appearances. I know that I find it hard to be adventurous; I often miss Your voice because I don’t like what I see. Please give me the courage to look beyond, to see Your direction for my life. Help me to be bold enough to break through the circumstances of my life, to reach forward to Your plans for my future.