It's what God knows that matters!

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (Mark 6: 1-6)

Ever wonder why folks sometimes doubt you, look at you in disbelief, have a different opinion of you when you are not in their presence? I often used to feel that way! Now it really doesn't matter that much. It's what God knows that matters, not what man may say!

Growing up, I was a sports loving fanatic! I played, coached, watched, lived and breathed sports . . . baseball, football, basketball, bowling, street hockey . . . you name it. If we could play it I did and I had an opinion about it too! Well into my 30's this was my life. Then Jesus picked me on His team.

I was still a sports junkey and played and coached, but the anger was gone, the win-all-cost attitude was replaced with do-your-best-at-all-times way of life. I still loved sports but I now lived and played for Him, not me. Guess what? People did not like it, did not believe it, or just plain would not accept it! Even believers kept me in the shadows. . . some still do . . . not quite trusting me! Oh well . . . .

I was not the cookie-cutter teen back then and I am not a cookie- cutter believer today. When God saved me, He changed my heart, not my personality! He saved me from within and welcomed me into a relationship with him, just as I am! He now uses me for His purposes, not others'. While many do not understand, I have come to understand it is OK, because some do! What God has for me is for me and for His glory!

They rejected Jesus . . . even family . . . why not me too?