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It's Not Always Easy…
Mark 10:29-30 '"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."'
 Real faith people often face opposition. They're not much good at staying within the system, or playing games with political correctness. They will flee from anything that ties them to the stake of normality or pegs them forever to the expectations of others. They will look at this world with both detachment and compassion. 'This world is not my home,' they will say, 'so I won't get too comfortable here. But I will make a difference where I can.' People of faith are often accused of 'going too far'. Some people thought Elijah was going too far when he called down fire on the prophets of Baal. Some people thought Daniel was going a bit far when he refused food fit for a king. They said the same about young David when he challenged a warrior champion to a duel. And many people thought Jesus was diving off the deep end when, at the height of his popularity, he started talking about dying on a cross. I'm sure Peter wasn't the only one who wanted to take him aside and say, 'Jesus, think of all the good you could have done if you were to stay alive!' Friend, there's no way you and I can avoid a little controversy, opposition or even persecution if we're going to follow the path God has mapped out for us. So, accept that this world won't always applaud what you do in Jesus' name, and get on with the job. God sees, and he will ensure that you reap eternal fruit.
Prayer: 'Lord Jesus, help me today to pay less attention to what people think of me – except in the sense that I want to make you look good! Help me to do what you command, no matter how unpopular it may make me in the short term.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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