Destiny Safety I

TEXT: Lk. 2:41-52, MORE LESSONS: Prov. 12:15.

The childhood of Jesus and His domestic life under His earthly parents provide a lot of lessons for us today. In our text, Jesus went with His parents to worship in Jerusalem at age twelve. After the programme, unknown to his parents, He was left behind in Jerusalem. By the time they went back to Jerusalem to search for Him, they were shocked to find Him, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: Lk. 2:46.They were happy He was found in the temple and glad they had to come back to look for Him. …Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? v48-49. Though they did not understand Him, And he went with them, not only that, and was subject unto them. It 's good to know that Emmanuel, God with us, the Son of God Himself, once had earthly parents to whom He was subject even though they misunderstood one another. So the first lesson is obedience to parents and reverence at all times. Jesus could have insisted on staying back, after all, for this purpose He came.
Beyond parental obedience, I know that one of the ways to preserve a man's destiny and not to miss one's steps in life is to have a destiny guide, someone who can correct, guide, strengthen and rebuke you whenever the need arises. Call it any name, father, mother, helper, teacher, master, anything, just let the person have an overseer responsibility over your destiny. Just as Jesus had parents to say, “Rise up and follow us' and regardless of His conviction about what He was doing, He followed them without any bitterness, so ought anyone who desires better days and safety ensure that he deliberately submits himself to such authority. The mystery of life is too deep for anyone to walk alone without a support.
Prayerfully and thoughtfully submit yourself for constant checks and balances for safety. There is no alternative to it, Jesus as a child did it, you must also be a child to someone, either your pastor / shepherd, spiritual father/mentor, counsellor / guardian (Prov. 11:14). Do you belong to a local assembly? Do you do any work for God in that assembly? Can he rebuke or correct you? Is there anyone who can call you to order when you go wrong? Do you ever go for counsel?

PRAYER / ACTION
* Ask God to help you live a life of submission to His appointed shepherd over you.
* Pray that you will not do anything to uproot you from where God has planted you.
* Ask for God’s help not to live a life like a sheep without a shepherd.
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