Who are you holding back?

When I'm speaking to a large group, or writing for a magazine, I feel very comfortable sharing anything. I don't know the people, so I have no fear of rejection. However, knowing that my heart will be revealed to someone close to me is a different situation. Because they knew me back when. It's hard to be a light to folks who knew you in the darkness.

It's the same when friends from the old days want to be my friend on facebook. I wonder who they are expecting, because I'm not the same girl I was at 17. I am a new creation in Christ, and I fear they are looking for someone they won't find. At the same time, I don't know if they too have changed, so I shouldn't be judging them.

How about you? Is there someone in your life who you are quick to judge? Jesus experienced this in his hometown, when he went back.

Mark 6: 1 - 6
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Because the people in Jesus hometown did not have faith in Jesus, he could not do any miracles there. Jesus, the son of God, was held back because of their lack of faith. How much more are we held back when family and friends don't believe in us?

Today, I encourage you to give your love and support to a family member or childhood friend who isn't the same person they used to be. Why not give them a chance and see? Don't stop their miracles from happening.