And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
Dear People Who Keep Company with God,
At the age of twelve, Jesus was already on the way to becoming physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready for His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. In preparation to live out His purpose, Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor. Growth is at the heart of life. From before our birth to our death, God is at work in our lives, building us up and preparing us for our life’s purposes, even though we may not always understand what He is doing.
Wisdom is the ability to live according to God’s way of life (Proverbs 24:3). There has never been a greater need to navigate through life with godly skill. The beauty of wisdom is that it is available just for the asking. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all.” (James 1:5) However, James tells us this in the context of trials and patience. We generally grow skillful at living through the up and down experiences of life.
I define stature as the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical capacity to be your genuine self and accomplish your life’s purposes and destiny. One of the ways we grow in stature is through difficulties. “You have enlarged me in my distress.” (Psalm 4:1) Every significant person in the Scripture grew through the trouble, heartbreak, and dangerous times they experienced. Challenging stretches can either set you back or enlarge your capacity to receive more of God’s plans and purposes.
A good definition of favor is “the affection of God towards you that releases an influence through you so that other people are inclined to like, trust, and cooperate with you.” As sons and daughters of God, we have loving favor granted to us simply because we are His children. Henri Nouwen captures this so well. “Jesus is the Blessed One. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, a voice came from heaven saying, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you.” (Mark 1:11) This was the blessing that sustained Jesus during his life. Jesus came into the world to share that blessing with us.”
The Book of Job reveals how we can grow in favor. It tells us that the righteous will suffer in this world, yet God is willing to restore a double portion of blessing and power at the end of their trying days. But there is a condition connected with restoration. Job had to forgive, pray for, and bless the friends who wounded him before God released the double favor. If you are indifferent, retributive, or dishonoring toward people, that reflects an inequity in your heart and will hinder God from increasing His favor upon your life.
We have been in a distressful and breaking time, but there is a reason for every season of life. “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) He created us for the increase, despite the troubles. In a dream, I saw our congregation as bread. The Gospels tell us every time Jesus placed His hands on some bread, He broke it and blessed it. Then, something supernatural and beautiful happened: the hungry ate, sickness fled, blind people saw, and broken hearts mended. This season has brought us to our knees. Even so, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us. He is calling us out of brokenness into being a blessing.
Many Blessings, BW