The familiarity mindset can be very dangerous. When we become too familiar with someone else, we can tend to get casual with them. We’ll say things like, “he’s my buddy,” or, “don’t worry, I know him. He won’t mind, ” or “It’s ok, I can call him or her by their first name. They won’t mind. We have a great relationship.” Many also do that with God. They call Him “the man upstairs.” They might say, “Me and God are tight.” When we get too familiar with others, we tend to lose respect for them. We can begin to dishonor or disrespect them, and what they can bring to the table. The people in Jesus’ hometown could not believe in Jesus because they had seen Him grow up in their neighborhood (Matthew 13). They said things like, “He’s just the carpenter’s son,” or, “we know his mother and brothers.” And because of this, many missed out on the day of their visitation. Have you fallen into that same trap? Have you begun to disrespect your pastor, your supervisor, your mother and father? Is God simply “the man upstairs” to you? When you don’t respect someone, you can’t receive from them. Break that mindset today. If you have been operating under that mindset, repent from it, and restore honor and respect to all of your relationships, especially your relationship with the Heavenly Father. He is worthy of all honor, respect and praise. He is NOT the man upstairs. He is almighty God, the Lord of Lords, and the King of kings!!!
Matthew 13: 54-58 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” And 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 own family.” And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
