For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

John 7: 1 – 9 “After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want[a] to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not[b] going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. “

Sometimes the people who we so desperately want to believe in the things God has called us to do, are those that struggle to believe in us. I love the fact that no matter what we are going through in this life, the bible shows us that Jesus, the son of God, also went through similar situations so when He says, take heart for I have overcome the world, rest assured that He knows exactly what He is talking about.

When I finished work today, I picked up my bible to read and I encountered this. It is so encouraging to me that it does not matter who believes or who does not believe in the call of God on your life. Keep being faithful in doing the things God has asked you to do and in due time you will reap the harvest if you don’t lose heart.

Some people may misjudge you like they misjudged Jesus. His brothers assumed that Jesus’ motivation behind all that He was doing was to be well known, but Jesus knew who He was and knew the one who had sent Him. I love that Jesus did not try to please His brothers but He chose to follow the path which God had set for Him.

We need to follow His examples when the voice of critics appear to be louder or the voice of those who we thought would support us are nowhere to be found. Hearing from God and doing what He has asked us to do is the most important thing in our relationship with Him. Obedience is everything when you call yourself a follower of Christ.

What I learnt is that you should not be too quick to do what others expect you to do because you are looking for the approval of men. Jesus said to His brothers, my time has not yet come, go to the festival without me. When you are set apart by God, some of your decisions will not be popular with man but that’s all right. We should live for an audience of one, Jesus and by His grace when we enter into eternity we will answer to the one and only God and not man.

Sometimes in order to walk in your God given destiny, you may walk on the path of a very lonely road. People may misjudge you or people may not take the time to understand you. Take everything into prayer and carry on walking with your eyes fixed on the one who called and chose you for the assignment.

He is worth the sacrifice; He is worth the pain of loneliness; He is worth the glory. His angels are right behind you cheering you on. In due time, He may bring the right people to walk alongside you but even if He does not, He is still worth it. Sometimes He allows people to back away because He wants you to find your security in Him, not in man.

I hope this is a blessing to you.

Love Mav

His brothers did not believe in him