As I am having my bible reading each morning I am seeing more and more relationship between myself and those listening to Jesus.  This morning in Luke Jesus was teaching to those in his hometown.  The Pharisees were questioning him because he was “Joseph’s son”–a common man who was a simple carpenter.  Had they forgotten about Jesus’ birth and the host of angels as well as the wise men coming, and all of that?  It had only been 30 years.  Regardless, the scriptures said they tried to reason with Christ’s actions and they were going to throw him over the ledge to his death.  Just a week or so ago I found myself trying to reason through several things and I found that fear was the motivator for “reasoning”.  I wasn’t taking by faith what was in front of me.  I am also learning that once I take the step of faith, I can’t then try to reason my way through the tasks, assignments in front of me.  I need to complete the tasks only how God gives them to me.  I can see I want to control the outcome rather than let the outcome be God’s.  Little by little I am seeing just how much I need to let go and accept each day in faith.

Christ told the Pharisees that a prophet cannot do much work in his hometown because of the very reasons He can’t do much work with us if we try to stay in control.  I see this more and more clearly as I grow in Him.  This morning I told God I am sorry for acting on this character defect and to please help me replace it with genuine trust in Him that plays itself out with the decisions I make in starting my day and living throughout the day.  When this journey does come to an end I don’t want to hear, “I could do little with you because you wanted to keep the reigns in your hands rather than placing them in mine.”  I want to remember that this Jesus who was born to Joseph, the carpenter; who the angels literally came in celebration; who the wise men came to honor; is the very Son of God.  I can and will trust Him and place all my faith in him one day at a time and one moment at a time throughout each day.