Friday, March 22, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

 

Open for Business

 

Luke 2:49 "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

 

 

 

My husband and I are from large families. With a combined number of 15 siblings, I believe that it is easy to understand how each of our mothers lost one of their children one day while shopping! Thankfully, these mothers were reunited with their children within a few minutes and all was well.

 

Today's Scripture refers to a similar incident experienced by Joseph and Mary. On their return trip home from celebrating the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem, they discovered that Jesus was not with them. Now, this is where the similarity to what my mother and mother-in-law experienced ends.

 

Mary and Joseph had been traveling for an entire day with a large group of family members before they discovered that Jesus was missing. Then, it took three days to locate Him in Jerusalem. I want you to imagine what they went through--The Almighty God had entrusted Jesus into their care AND they lost him. I am sure they were completely panic stricken!

 

Luke 2:46-47 describes the incident: "After three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers."

 

When asked by His mother why He had wandered off, Jesus simply responded that He was conducting His Father's business. The astonishing part of this story is that Jesus was twelve years old, and He was dazzling the most brilliant Bible scholars with His wisdom.

 

Jesus did not allow age, schooling, financial background, or family obligations to stop Him. He seized the first opportunity to begin pursuing the purpose that God had established for His life.

 

I challenge you today to do as Jesus did. Grab hold to any opportunity that comes your way to fulfill the purpose that God has for your life. Do not be intimidated with what others would perceive as shortcomings--lack of education, lack of funds, lack of support, etc.

 

Know today that God has equipped you for a purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 provides a glimpse of what he has established for your life -- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future."

 

Dear Lord, I ask that you fill me with the courage to grasp every opportunity that comes my way to fulfill my destiny in You. Help me to always be "open for the Father's business."

 

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.