Support

Family doesn't always support what you feel you are called to do.

Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, 'He has gone out of his mind.' And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, 'He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.' - Mark 3:20-22

Mark's Gospel teaches us that Jesus didn't have an easy start in his ministry.  After casting out demons and calling his disciples to follow him, it was time to deal with the family, and they didn't quite get it.

By the time Jesus organized his ministry, gathering the twelve, he had already been performing many signs, healing many people and causing quite a stir among the people.  So, when he went home, the family was concerned.

You would think they would be behind him, given what we believe about them knowing who and what he was.  But even he had trouble getting support.

The message here for us may be that we may also find it challenging to set out on our path in following Jesus's call to serve.  People close to us might think us crazy, or ill-advised.

After all, service is not the path to riches, in most cases, and don't we all want to see our children and siblings do well?

And in Jesus' case, his actions were getting the leaders and rulers upset.  He was challenging the law, and that was dangerous.

So, I guess we should expect to have to explain our calling to those we love, and not get upset when they are reluctant to give their support.  It doesn't mean they don't love us.  It could mean the opposite.

As the Gospel shows us, eventually, the family will understand and come to support the calling, but it may be a rocky road at first.

What we need to do is pray for strength and guidance, so that we can weather the period of uncertainty and come out reassured.

The Holy Spirit will do the work if we let it.  And we will definitely need the help.

More to come...