Saturday, January 29, 2011

It's None of Your Business

“and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!"”  – Mark 5:7
Mike saw him standing alone in the corner of the room.  The large group had gathered rather spontaneously after the news came out.  There was a feeling of jubilation amongst the crowd, having just finished closing the most successful quarter in the small company history.  They had all pulled together to and worked late nights, traveled thousands of miles and reached an unfathomable goal that had been set by their CEO.  He was a man of great faith and confidence, and was normally very outspoken and engaging, yet this day he stood by himself watching the group celebrate.

He wasn’t demonstrating joy and happiness like the rest of those present.  As a matter of fact he was surprisingly reserved.  As Mike approached him, he turned his eyes from the gaze.  He was definitely avoiding the confrontation, and as Mike drew closer he actually started walking the other direction.  What was this about, Mike began to wonder.  Mike called out his name as he stepped around the corner into the hall.  Following him, Mike called his name once again.  He finally stopped, and Mike came to stand next to him. 

“What is it?  What is going on?  Your entire team is in there celebrating the success that you have driven us to, and you look like someone just ran over your puppy.”  The CEO had tears in his eyes as he looked up with an expression of shame and guilt.  “Mike, you and I have been through a lot in the last 5 years, and I’ve told you everything.  But this time you need to walk away, it’s none of your business.”  Obvious to Mike, something very serious had happened and his boss, his friend and confidant was hurting inside.  “Let me help.  It can’t be that bad, together we can work this out, whatever it is.”, Mike pleaded.  “I said, it’s none of your business.  You need to walk away.”  Mike did and regrettably so.

The next morning the news crews were in the parking lot as Mike came to work.  Of course his mind was racing with curiosity as he stepped from his car and began walking toward the building.  They met him half way down the sidewalk and shoved a microphone in his face.  “How much did your CEO embezzle?”, “Were you involved in the scandal?”, “How much did you make from the deal?”  Of course, Mike was caught completely off guard and pushed past the crews into the office.  Inside people were sitting around, some crying, some whispering; all had a look of shock on their face.  The newspaper on the receptionists desk stated; “CEO found dead, suicide note describes embezzlement scandal worth millions.  Company bankrupted.”

We all carry hurt inside.  There are those hidden secrets that nobody else can know about, for fear of rejection, humiliation and shame.  In Mark 5:7 we find Jesus confronting a man possessed with demons for years.  He had been outcast from society and lived amongst the dead in and around the cemetery when Jesus came upon him.  Immediately, the demons screamed out from within the man, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!"  Just as Jesus cast the demons out of this man, His blood cleanses your sins.  The fear represented by these demons is real in our lives as well.  Are you trying to hold onto the sinful actions of your youth?  The life that you lived before Christ was filled with sin and shame.  Upon accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord though we are washed clean and these sins are cast away.

These demons knew Christ as the Son of God and knew that He was there to destroy them.  Likewise, He knows of the sin you are carrying.  It may be hidden from those you associate with daily, but God knows all things.  He wants to take away the struggle you are having with sin and give you peace and life anew, but you must be willing to let Him.  That’s the way He works in our lives.  We must be willing to give it up and trust that He will forever cast it away.   
Prayer:
Almighty God,
I stand before You filled with pain and frustration with my sinful life.  I ask You to take these from me, wash me clean and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  I want to live my life walking in Your light and desire nothing more than to spread Your love and peace to others.  Thank You for Your forgiving grace.  In Your name we pray – Amen

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