“…Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business.?” (Luke 2:49, NKJV)
I like the way the New King James Version translates this verse. It conveys to me an essential truth: that I, like Jesus himself, must prioritize God’s “business” by listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit, even if that isn’t what other people expect of me, even if it upsets them.
Perhaps I’m led to stop participating in something that I’ve done for a long time because I sense a conviction of the Spirit that this activity is keeping me from God. Or maybe I sense that I am to begin doing something new, something that takes my time, money or energy away from friends or loved ones, and they resent this. They may accuse me of being a religious fanatic, or perhaps simply being weird.
This is tough. Discerning how to negotiate difficult decisions is always challenging, especially when I must change course and I know that this change will distress those I love.
While I’m to be sensitive to the feelings of others, and loving and prudent in my actions toward them, I’m not to compromise my obedience to God because of the discomfort of others. I’m not to take responsibility for “fixing their feelings” if they are upset with my obedience. Certainly, I am to communicate my decisions as lovingly as possible, hoping that acceptance and understanding may follow in time. But sometimes, it doesn’t.
My primary – indeed, my only responsibility – is to be obedient to God’s call and direction in my life. Like Jesus, I must sense and heed the Father’s call. I’m to pick up my cross and follow Jesus on his mission. As St Peter said, “we must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29).
I must leave the consequences of my obedience to Him, even if it means much discomfort or even loss on my part. For what good is it, really, if I gain the acceptance and approval of the whole world but forfeit my soul? (Mark 8:38).
Today, I must choose whom I will serve, the “gods” of the culture in which I’m living, or the true God revealed in Jesus, the Word made flesh (c.f., Joshua 24:15).
Lessons From Love School 