Yesterday I was reflecting on the life of Christ and just what it was that He did from age 12-30. I have questions ~if you know me I am a true detective at heart. Sometimes we too go through quiet years. When I was a young mom I would get so lonely~and MOPS was a great encouragement to me. I was reminded each Tuesday morning over breakfast that these desert years were not forever~ and they weren't. Oh how quickly they were gone. (If only I could recapture a few of those moments when all my children were tucked safe and sound in their beds~it was the greatest feeling I ever had.) Sometimes in life we just have quiet years.
As I ponder the quiet years of Jesus Not having all my questions answered I do know these facts~
*He grew in wisdom. He spent his days from 12-30 growing in wisdom. Jesus as man yet God grew day by day in wisdom~ He would need that wisdom for the ministry ~and the days ahead~ we all know that! Where does wisdom come from?
I want to be wise so that I can be used by God!
Proverbs 9:10 (King James Version)
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
In my quiet times in life I seem to feel set aside. It is during theses times that I need to draw close to the Lord ~draw close to the Bible and increase my knowledge of God and what He wants from my life.
* He grew in stature. Stature is both physical and emotionally. A trip to the Doctor recently has prompted me to take better care of my physical body. I really thought I was doing better than I was~ouch! I have made some major changes in my life. As a mom we are tempted to ignore our health because of lack of time. I am with you ~I understand. We sometimes get so busy taking care of everyone else that we fail to take care of our self~ we need to be eating a healthy diet and exercising. When I take care of myself I feel so much better~it is amazing what a few changes can do.
Now that mental thing~ oh my. We should be getting more mature emotionally~ but what about pre-menopausal. I was doing so well ~ then it hit like a bomb. It hit me right out of nowhere. You know I had grown and moved past that selfish~ short tempered girl I once was to a more mature woman in the Lord. Then all the sudden I get hit with these crazy mood swings~ hot flashes~ irritability and I sometimes think I want to pack my bags and join the circus for Pete's sake! Where did all these emotions come from ~not to mention the migraines? What is a girl to do?
Well~ draw closer to God and spend more time with Him. I am finding I need to clear my schedule a little more so that I have down time. Quick temper and screaming fits don't describe a woman wanting to be used by God. Jesus could never have handled the horrors of the cross if He had not controlled His emotions. In my weakness ~He is strong. I must rely on Him. We must tap into our Heavenly Father's strength. And be ready to be used by God.
* He grew in favor with God. Jesus ~as man~ learned God's preferences. He obeyed God and followed God's desires. When we are in the quiet times of our life~ we need to make God our closest friend. I have a great husband~ wonderful children and family and the best of friends~ but they are not my closest friend. The Bible calls Jesus the friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is my very best friend. He one day will cross over Jordan with me~even my Brian wont be able to walk that day with me but Jesus will.
I want to keep myself holy and pure so that I can be used by God.
* He grew in favor with man. We call it today~gaining people skills. Relationship skills are vital to the work of God. If we can't get along with people how are we going to influence them for Christ? If people are put off by our offensive ~know-it-all attitude we will never influence them for Christ. I tend to be a sensitive person~ I don't want people to walk on egg shells when around me. We need to determine not to let our personality keep us from being used by God~whether it is strong or weak! We will never be useful to God until others feel loved by us.
Are you finding yourself in the "quiet times"of life? Take your "time in the shadows" and make the most of it. Grow and grow and grow in God's Word. When we do we will look back someday and remember how God molded us into the person we needed to be. Those desert years at home all alone with my small children taught me to totally depend and trust the Lord. Whatever the stage in life you are at~ physically, spiritually or emotionally God wants us to be growing and to be used for His glory!
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