'I knew you when...'

Alice in Wonderland: The Carpenter - And Wheth...Image by Brandon Christopher Warren via Flickr

Isn't this the carpenter?
Mark 6:3

Be careful around those who love to say, 'I knew you when...' in an attempt to label or limit you. When David volunteered to fight Goliath his faith was an embarrassment to his big brother Eliab, an officer in King Saul's army. Eliab was probably thinking, 'If my little brother wins everybody will ask, "How come you didn't go out and fight him?"' Understand this: your decision to step out and follow God will put pressure on others and the first place you'll feel it will be amongst those closest to you, especially if your calling sets you apart, and takes you to a higher level. The Bible records that Eliab 'burned with anger at [David] and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is"' (1 Samuel 17:28 NIV). Before David could overcome Goliath he had to overcome the thoughts and opinions of those around him and you will too!

Look at the life of Jesus. When He went back to His hometown they said, 'What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son...And they took offence at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith' (Mark 6:2-6 NIV). Bottom line: be careful around those 'who knew you when.'

Copied from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Comments

Shosannah said…
I love this.
:)
Angie said…
I do too. This line really struck a chord with me...Before David could overcome Goliath he had to overcome the thoughts and opinions of those around him and you will too!
Anonymous said…
You are so right Mike. Thanks for your throughs.
zakscloset said…
wow! great life lesson. it's so TRUE!!!!
Susan said…
Jesus is always our example.
Susan
Wanda said…
Great truth, Mike. How often we are defeated because we listen to those opinions around us. Oh make me more like David.
Anonymous said…
Althouth not exactly the same as this thought, my thought has been that friends who reconnect after time apart need to connect in the present and not in the past. Somehow the friendship, if it is authentic and true, needs to be present tense or else it is doomed to remain in the past.
I've always wanted to be able to see Him in his youth, just to see how he acted among others.
imac said…
Its amazing how many people say " I knew you when" altho as you get older there's less say it.

Later today I'll post some flowers from Alnwick Gardens.

Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments.
Andrea said…
Great post. We do not need to worry about what others think and just focus on our Lord.
Steve said…
Had to read this several times before I grasped this but it didn't help that I have a Praise CD playing!
TMM said…
Wow that's an awesome lesson and an encouraging one.

Thank you Mike for posting it.

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