Mark 3:21

New International Version

When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

For Encouragement

You are out of your mind!

That is what they will sometimes say about you. When you commit all your energies and attention to the Lord and His work, there will be times when you may have no time for yourself but for Him and His commission given to you. The ignorant will call you a lunatic or, best, a fanatic, but why should that unsettle you when the family of your Lord said the same about Him?

After Jesus had spent the entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12), He chose twelve of His disciples and designated them as apostles so that He might send them out to preach and to receive authority to drive out demons (Mark 3:14).

From there, Jesus entered a house, and the crowds gathered to overflowing limits with their problems, which took so much time and attention that He did not have time to eat (20). Alarmed by the situation, His family went to take charge of Him (21). Interesting, isn’t it—the irony of humans assuming responsibility for the Savior?

The physical condition of the Savior was their concern, and nothing was wrong with that. But did any of them consider His mission on earth? Did they even know Him?

That is the situation of those who commit to following in the footsteps of the Lord. They get so preoccupied with His work that they have little time to eat. The needs compound and the people gather to receive His blessing from your ministry. How can you have time for yourself? And should that surprise you when those who do not have a heavenly perspective call you a fanatic?

But is your commitment to His mission about His glory? Don’t you think He will strengthen you to accomplish just that?

Of course, there must always be time for rest. Jesus took the time out to rest, and He calls you to step aside to find rest with Him. That calls for you to manage yourself with the heavenly perspective He desires from His children. His promise to give us the wisdom to navigate the course stands to embrace us (James 1:5).

And remember to be steadfast, for it is God who works in you to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).