They say you can tell a lot about a person – just look at their family tree.
But what if there are people in your family who have done some of the worst, despicable things you can imagine? And, there are witnesses… people remember.
And here you are striving to be all that you can be. Maybe you’re working hard to get your education, growing in grace, you’re intentional about being a man or woman of character and integrity. Now someone who remembers your family tree is trying to cast doubt on your future:
“Your daddy was a no-good alcoholic, so you’ll end up being just like him.”
“I knew your mama back in the day, she was a teenaged mother.”
“Well, you know your grandfather cheated my grandfather, so I know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Nonsense!
You see, teammates, there’s something special about being “grafted in” to the promises of God (Romans 11:17-18). No matter what your past looks like, or the past deeds of family members in your family tree, none of it can uproot the plans and the calling that God has on your life.
Don’t believe me? Just ask Jesus!
The Family Tree of the Savior
The book of Matthew begins with the “generation of Jesus Christ…” Mattew 1:1
Have you ever taken a serious look at the family tree or the generational line of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? The perfect Lamb slain before the foundation of the world did not come in human flesh through perfect people. Rather…
Take a look at Matthew 1:5. Jesus Christ is the descendant of Rahab the harlot (Joshua 2:1)? Yes, a prostitute who could tell a crooked lie with a straight face (Joshua 2:4). And what about Matthew 1:6? Jesus Christ is the son of King David, who was not only a notorious adulterer but a murderous one at that.
The good news is – if there’s hope for Jesus, there’s hope for us, too.
Your Family Tree Can’t Stop Your Future Growth
Yes, you have alcoholics in your family. Your mother, father, uncle, or great aunt was an addict. Your grandmother couldn’t read or write, and your great, great grandfather was in prison. No one in your family has good credit, and no one in your family has had a successful marriage. The list goes on…
What does all of this mean for you – a blood-bought believer of Jesus Christ?
Your family tree is not a forecast of where you’re going, but a testament of where God has brought you from.
Who else but God kept your mind in a family where mental illness and depression run rampant? Who else but Father God taught you how to be an amazing parent so your child won’t have to experience the abuse that you endured.
So, let no one hold you hostage to the “ways” of your earthly family tree, when you have become a new creature by faith in Jesus Christ and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Are you scapegoating “family” with your own excuses?
Now, if others cannot hold us to the shortcomings and flaws of our family members, neither can we, teammates.
It’s tempting to use the weaknesses within our families as a scapegoat – the reason why we can’t (or won’t) get ahead or do what God has called us to do. How do I know?
I tried it. It made all the sense in the world to me why I couldn’t execute God’s plan to speak in public:
“God, now, you know my family stutters. My brain moves faster than my mouth, and my words don’t come out right. Just let me be a writer!”
Sidebar: The least I could’ve done was be more creative lol. Hadn’t God already heard and addressed this excuse before with His servant Moses? Sheesh! Exodus 4:10-12
So, Team, don’t hide any failure, disobedience, or rebellion behind the shortcomings of granddaddy, mama, or daddy. When God redeemed you and called you, He didn’t look to see what your family members had done for Him to gauge your purpose or abilities. God is our source, not our earthly bloodlines. It is God who causes us to triumph – not whether our family tree was able to conquer their demons or not.
So, What’s the Play Call?
Generational curses, family habits, and blood-line pre-dispositions are no match for the blood of Jesus Christ.
God’s mind is made up about you. We are now His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18). Our future is secure in Him – the one and only true God in whom there isn’t anything too hard for.
Just think of the things we can accomplish when we truly know and walk in the authority given to the family of faith (Galatians 6:10).
