“‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.” Luke 2:49-50 (NIV)
The secret to concentration is elimination.
Our life on planet earth is full of distractions. It can be very difficult to focus on what really matters in this life. There are so many tugs and so many allurements. Just examine the Bridger generation for a few moments and you will notice how they are bombarded with unlimited options for entertainment. How do you get children to focus on things of eternal value when they are saturated with external impulses?
In the Bible, we get a glimpse of Jesus at the age of twelve. While Joseph and Mary were in the caravan headed home, Jesus was in the temple sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions. Three days later, Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem in search of Jesus. You can imagine their consternation and relief when they found Him. Jesus responded to them by clarifying that He had to be in His Father’s house being about His Father’s business.
- “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:51-52 (NIV)
- “‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'” John 4:34 (NIV)
Jesus oriented His life around His Heavenly Father’s agenda. Are you investing in the next generation at that level of intensity? Are you passionately giving your life to our Heavenly Father’s agenda? There’s an entire generation to reach for God’s glory. Are you in?
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor