Familiar

Scripture:
Matthew 13:58 — "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." (NIV)

Observation:
There is a connection between the faith of men and the miracles of God. This theme is a constant in the ministry of Jesus. He chooses not to work in the midst of the faithless yet to the individuals who possess enough just to ask for healing he does so always reminding them that their faith made them well. In this text I see a town of people so familiar with Jesus that they doubted his authority, questioned his ability, denied his deity.

Application:
In my life the closer I get to You, the more I grow familiar. I get so used to having you around, I get so familiar with what it feels like to have You in my life that I forget who you are (creator, sustainer, savior) and treat you as (friend, brother, neighbor). I love the closeness of our relationship but I fear I miss out on the miraculous because I am so used to you being there. My intimacy with you should lead me to growth in my faith in you as God, yet many times I find it leading to familiarity and routine.

Prayer:
Lord I fear I miss the miraculous in my life, family, ministry because I have become comfortable with my familiarity of what I know about You. May today I break the monotony and uncover your wonders, your depth, and your infinite splendor. I have become familiar with my version of You…I know it is impossible to become numb to who you really are. Break down my false ideas of your limits, your expected mode of operation in my life and the lives of others and help me see today who it is that I have given my life to. Forgive me for becoming comfortable with you as Nazareth had. May I look into your life with awe and wonder.

— Jason Smith, student pastor, Madison/Ridgeland pastor