Hindrances and Opportunities

And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

Have you ever been misjudged because of your background, family ties, or family history? Do you have people in your life who have a preconceived idea about you and nothing you say or do will change their thinking? They are convinced they know you through and through and are not about to let you persuade them otherwise. Be assured, Jesus understands because He faced the same thing among the people of His home town. While they were astonished and amazed at the miracles He had performed in other places and the wisdom He displayed in His teaching, they could not come to embrace the truth about Him. To them, Jesus was one of them, from a family who lived among them. To see Him as anything different, and especially to see Him as God come in the flesh, was offensive to them. What they saw and heard astounded them but what they THOUGHT hindered them from belief in Him. And that unbelief became the hindrance for any miracles being performed there. Oh, what they missed out on because of their ability to wrap themselves up in their own mindsets.

Some of you know what it is like to witness to family members and they stand in unbelief because they grew up with you. Their familiarity with you hinders them from hearing the message you desire to share. Don’t give up! Pray for their hearts to become receptive and their minds to open up. God has a way of working behind the scenes of their lives. Also pray that someone of influence in their life will step forward with boldness and share the gospel with them. For many of us, we will not be the ones to actually lead them to a saving knowledge of Christ. But we can know that God will use someone!

At the same time, we must realize that we are that “someone” in another person’s life. They have loved ones praying a bold witness would speak to them. We each come in contact with people on a daily basis. God has strategically placed us in our neighborhoods and workplaces. May we pray for opportunities to share Christ with them and then may we go in His power and might to take the opportunities as they come.

Father, I know You. Others in my life and sphere of influence do not know You. Today as the opportunity opens up help me to freely share Jesus with them….by my life, my actions, and my words. Amen.