2018: What now?

At the end of the story of Jesus birth and childhood Luke tells us two things about Him that we need to imitate in the coming year. Luke 2:49 Jesus said to Joseph and Mary, Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business. Then in verse 52 Luke tells us that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Being about the Father’s business should be the business of every Christian. That can only be accomplished when we develop a diligent practice of Bible study and worship. Those who don’t study the word of God and worship with regularity will never know how to be about the Father’s business.

We need to develop a daily schedule of Bible reading and frequent prayer to keep us close to God and in tune with what His business is all about. And we need to look carefully at ourselves in the mirror of the word to see ourselves as God sees us and make the necessary changes needed to be effective in the Father’s business.

Most of us will do as Jesus did in growing in stature, but how many will grow in wisdom. Wisdom comes
from God. It is making the right decisions when we face challenges to our faith and spiritual convictions. This is why we need to be diligent in reading and meditating on the word of God.

Many of us will increase in favor with our fellowman. We will try to please our employers, our families, and our friends. But how many of us will increase in favor with God? Jesus did a lot of good things for the bene t of the people He met every day. He gained their favor by showing compassion, love, and forgiveness. He helped those in need and taught them about God by the way He lived. At the same time He increased in favor with God because He lived every day in the will of His Father.

As we enter into the new year of 2018, let this be the year that we follow the example of Jesus by being about the Father’s business and living in the favor of God every day.