Who do you think you are?

Have you ever had a time in your life when you were proud and happy about accomplishing something really good – and you shared it with family members or friends, only to have them react negatively or not at all? You start fulfilling your purpose, you land that dream job, you get your book published, you conquer your addiction, you find your soul mate, you find God.  And, perhaps not in these words, but in other words they say “who do you think you are?” Your bubble is burst, your ego is deflated, you feel disappointed, hurt, maybe even angry or bitter. I’ve experienced it many times as I have started growing in success and in life. And yet, you know you need to carry on, not to please “them” but with the conviction that this is God’s Will and it doesn’t matter what “they” say. (And hopefully your true supporters rally, uphold you and celebrate your joy.)  That’s what happened to Jesus. He came to preach, teach and heal and his very own people basically said “who do you think you are?” and rejected Him.   “Is this not the son of Joseph?…When the people in the synagogue heard (what he was saying) they were all filled with fury. They rose up (and) drove him out of the town…” (Lk 4:16-30).  Fortunately, Jesus picked some great apostles to surround Himself with – and to support His cause. They weren’t perfect by any means and even they let Him down from time to time (just look at Peter and Thomas). But in the end, they stuck by Him. Surround yourself with new friends if you have to, let the old ones go if you have to, don’t listen to the naysayers and instead, listen to the Spirit’s stirring of your heart.