Get Out Of My Way Jesus

The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country.  And people came to see what it was that had happened.  And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.  And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.  And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.  Mark 5:14-17

Why is it when God does something in our lives that affects what we selfishly see as our well-being, we immediately treat him with contempt?  I mean seriously, we all have this fight or flight mentality innate in us that can serve us well in moments of physical or emotional danger.  Yet, too often, we use this response against God when we know He is working in our lives.

The people in the region of the Gerasenes had a similar response when they saw their herd of pigs killed.  Instead of recognizing the power and authority of Jesus and what He did, they turned against him because their financial and physical livelihoods had been adversely affected.  The Bible says they were afraid of what Jesus had done, instead of in awe of what He could do.  This most likely is the result of a lack of knowledge of Jewish traditions in this region, but it still serves to teach us a valuable lesson.

As we come to the end of 2010 and begin a new year tomorrow, be mindful of turning your back against the the work God is doing in your life.  Be careful not to allow yourself to turn from Jesus because your life circumstances may change.  But rather trust in the fact that His work is evidence of His love for people and His good and perfect plan for your life. 

This coming year, let's let Jesus get in our way instead of asking Him to get out of our way.

Happy New Year