Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Prov 3:5-6

There’s a familiar Biblical story in chapter 2 of Luke where Joseph and Mary, the parents of young Jesus, had to return to Jerusalem to collect Him after He was inadvertently left behind.  They found Him in the Temple, not only listening to the local religious elders, but dazzling them with questions and insights of His own.  It was also during this occasion, that this supernatural 12 year old directed His first recorded words to His earthly parents who were pleased to locate Him: “Didn’t you know I was about My Father’s business?” echoes to this very day.

May we take a closer look at the essence of what Jesus was saying. Simply put, and to our eternal advantage, God (Jesus’ Loving Father) is in the business of restoring people to Himself. That’s right… By the power of His Holy Spirit, He’s all about establishing the best care and wellness in you and me!  Jesus, our example at such an early age, not only knew His intimate family-business relationship, but His identity, purpose, and specific role that went with it.  

Tony Cooke helps us understand our Father’s divine incorporation in chapter 24 of his book “Grace: The DNA of God.”  He shares the following:  “When God created Adam and Eve, He didn’t create them as “worms of the dust.”  He made them just a little lower than Himself and He crowned them with glory and honor!  Of course, mankind lost much in the fall, but Jesus came to deliver us from sin and restore us to God (The Father).  When we are personally reunited with God, we are once again partakers of His Holy family and glory; His good opinion of us was restored in Christ’s assignment and in the transforming action of His Holy Spirit.”

Isn’t it amazing that the God of Creation, the Father of all, has never given up on any of us? His nature of love is in constant pursuit. The greatest proof of this was in the dedicated activity of that pre-teen boy.  Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, was crucified for the corrupting sin of mankind, and will soon return for us.  Why? Because the souls of all of us (Joseph, Mary, the religious elders, and you and me included) are His highest treasure. Full restoration back to Him and His eternal family is the business of The Father, Jesus and His Holy Spirit too. Wouldn’t it be something if we could share in so great a purpose and pursuit? I’m willing and determined to set my heart in doing just that.  How about you?

1 Thes 5:23; Jer 29:11; Josh 24:15