Luke 4:14-21
I love the reading for today because it seems to be what most of us dream of doing. You walk into a room full of people from your past who questioned your judgment, choices, and life in general and you get to speak your truth to them and then drop the mic and leave. For Jesus it is a classy way of saying to all of them through scripture, “you see everything you doubted about me, I just proved you wrong and fulfilled the scripture for you!”
Jesus is paving a new path in his life and beginning his ministry by putting the first naysayers to rest. We all have dreams at night of doing this, but would be terrified for it to play out in real time.
Paving a new path can be extremely difficult for those of us that allow fear and judgment to get in the way of growth. Especially when we have to do it in the midst of those who are unable to see the growth. Those who have known us too long, think they know us, etc.
Jesus pushes us to keep going. To listen to the Holy Spirit working despite the one who tells you, “you shouldn’t do it, you’re not good enough, leave it to someone else.”
If Jesus would have given into his hometown critics, then his ministry would have ended right then and there. Faith can be convicting and we have to sometimes have to pave a new path to get where our passions and the world’s needs meet. That is vocation and Jesus’ vocation was to create a new kingdom and world order. What will your vocation be? God’s gifts provide the tools and then we have to listen to the Spirit to know what way to start clearing. In this New Year, may you continue to let hope, love, and faith guide you.
Questions for Reflection:
- Have you ever let fear get in the way of change or next steps in your life? Why?
- What ways do you want to move forward in the coming year to reimagine your vocation?
Prayer:
Dear God,
Sometimes we need the nudge or shove of the Holy Spirit to guide us into uncharted territories. Do let us be consumed with fear, but step out in hope and faith. Call us into the places where our deepest passions and the world’s needs meet. In your name we pray, Amen.
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