Familiarity. Breeds. Contempt. These words have invaded my thoughts for the last several
days.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy defines this phrase
as: The
better we know people, the more likely we are to find fault with them.
Me? Finding fault?
Probably. Honestly, yes. Too
often lately.
Today, I read the following scripture:
Jesus left
that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his
hometown. The
next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were
amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform
such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and
the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here
among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A
prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his
relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among
them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. (Mark 6:1-6, emphasis mine)
Do you see that? It
says “He’s JUST a carpenter…” Just a carpenter? Isn’t this the One who healed the lepers,
made the blind to see, the lame to walk, fed over 5,000 with 5 fish and 2
loaves?? Yet those in his own hometown,
who knew him since he was knee-high, said he was JUST carpenter.
Yet, don’t we do the same thing? When I first got married, my husband was the
icing on the cake…sweetest thing this side of heaven. Yet, as the days dragged on, the kids clamored
for attention, the bills piled up…yeah, he was JUST a husband…
And what about my job…you know, the one I was soooooo
excited to have. I couldn’t believe I finally
got THE job. As I got familiar with the
routine, got a little more familiar with my supervisor, worked a little closer
with my coworkers…suddenly it wasn’t THE job…it was JUST a job…and I dreamed of
something better.
Oh, and let’s not forget about church. You know, the one that I couldn’t believe how
awesome the service was and how “real” the pastor was and what a difference I
was seeing in my personal life and the lives of those in my family and community
because THE church was there – MY church?
Yet as I got a little comfortable, sitting closer to the leadership, getting
to know people better, I can find fault in nearly every service. The music wasn’t that good, the pastor told
the same jokes, nobody spoke to me today…you know how it goes…and now it’s not
THE church…it’s JUST a church. And if I’m
not careful I won’t stay planted….
Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Don’t look at me like that…you know you have those thoughts
too. You know you have some contempt for
something in your life that is too familiar….
Oh but how this has pierced my own heart as I’ve pondered
the scripture today. I found that I’ve become
too familiar with too many things in my life…too comfortable…allowing contempt
to creep into the everyday.
So how do I respond now that I’ve identified this dark haze of
contempt for the familiar that has clouded my view? Cry out to Jesus. Because in my weakness, He is strong...and today, this is my weakness.
His word says: Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your
instructions. (Psalm 119:18)
My prayer today is simple: Jesus, let me see ALL things new today…to see
the wonder in all of Your creation and not just your creation. Let nothing in my life be too familiar.
