TITLE:  GOD’S PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

TITLE:  GOD’S PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

SCRIPTURE:

            “Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”  49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.  51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  (Luke 2:41—52 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            Jesus’ earthly parents panicked when they were on their way home, but Jesus wasn’t with them.  It sounded like a case of a missing child.  Jesus stayed back in Jerusalem to continue the festivities at the festival.  Jesus’ parents returned to Jerusalem to look for him, only to find him sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Jesus amazed everyone with his questions, his understanding, and his answers. 

            Jesus’ parents found him and were astonished.  His mother told him, Son, why have you treated us like this?  Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.  Jesus asked, “Why were you searching for me?  “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?  But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 

            Sometimes, parents forget that though they brought their children into the world, they should know God’s purpose and plans for that child’s life.  As caring as parents and loving parents are, they should never forget that their children are God’s, and he has a plan and a purpose for their lives.  Parents pushed their children to live out plans and to serve purposes that was not meant for them to live.  Parents have great dreams for their children, but ultimately, children are God’s. 

            Jesus said to his mother, Why were you searching for me? DIDN’T you know I HAD to be in my Father’s house?   Jesus knew his purpose and why he came.  We, too, must seek God to understand why we are here.  We are not to live for our parent’s dreams or their wishes.  We came up with a plan that is already attached to us.   The Apostle Paul said so eloquently in his letter to the believers in Ephesus saying; “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

            Jesus did not disrespect his mother, but rather reminded them of his divine purpose.  Even though his earthly parents seemed to have forgotten, Jesus always retained sight of his mission.  When we understand our purpose and accept God’s plans for our lives, we can find security and fulfillment in our existence.  Some may struggle to accept God’s plans because they may not seem as grand as the lives of their peers. However, true fulfillment comes from living out the unique plan that God has for each of us.  Once we accept and embrace God’s plans for our life and his purpose that is to be revealed, we will grow in our spiritual journey.  A few take away from Jesus’s response to his parents.

• I must know God’s plan and purpose for my life.
• I must intentionally be where God wants me to be…Jesus stayed back at the temple, his Father’s house.  It wasn’t by accident.  He deliberately stayed back, knowing that was where he was supposed to be. 
• I must not live out my parents’ wishes and dreams for my life.  I must seek God’s plans first.  Jesus respected his mother but stuck with his Father’s plan.
• Respect your parents, but also know your timing.  Be obedient and be teachable until God’s timing is revealed.
• We must grow in our spiritual journey.  Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God. 

APPLICATION:

            I want to listen more to God’s plans for my life rather than hearing all the noises around me to do this or to do that.  Sometimes, pushing back others’ plans for my life isn’t easy.  I am grateful for this reminder always to know God’s plans and the purpose of my journey with him.  Only I can answer and be responsible for the plans and purpose God has given me.  I will continue to hang on to his leading and to hear his voice deep within me to guide and lead me to fulfill his plans and purposes. 

PRAYER:

            Heavenly Father, I thank you for reminding me that your plans and purposes were already in me to do before I came into this earth.  I pray for obedience and wisdom to hear and to follow your leading in what you want me to do.  I pray that you continue to alert and warn me of straying away from what you want me to do. Give me an obedient heart and a willing spirit to live according to your will.  Lead and guide me to all the purposes that you want me to accomplish.  In your name Jesus, Amen!