INCREASING IN WISDOM
The New Testament is largely focused on the last three years of Christ’s life, leaving us with very little information about His childhood and adolescent stage. Luke 2:40-52 gives us a glimpse into the earlier years of Christ and His astonishing wisdom at such a young age. Being fully human, Jesus grew and developed in the same ways that we do. He grew emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially. For most of us, it is easier to visualize and understand Jesus’ physical growth than His spiritual growth. I often read Luke 2 and think, “Jesus is God. Doesn’t He already know everything about the Bible?” The answer is, yes! Jesus was fully God and fully man. He lived sinless and blameless, yet He grew in wisdom.
Looking at Jesus
As Mary and Joseph frantically looked for their son after traveling a day’s journey, they returned to Jerusalem and found Jesus in the temple. He was sitting at the feet of teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions (Luke 2:46). Though fully God, Jesus in His humanity had to diligently study the Bible and theology. He was teachable at young age and knew the importance in learning from those who were older. His listening and asking questions preceded His outward display of remarkable knowledge. Jesus said in Luke 2:49, “Why are you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This also translates as “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus was on Earth to accomplish the will of His Father, and He pursued this from an early age and with complete devotion.
Looking at Ourselves
As youth leaders, we have been called to disciple the next generation of believers. Our Wednesdays and Sundays are reserved for crazy games, junk food, skinny jeans, and TikTok dances. We bring out our inner teenager for a few hours and hit the pillow feeling plain exhausted! Ha! In all seriousness, our passion and calling is to point teenagers to know, love, and serve Christ. Young people are facing more emotional turmoil than ever before. They are seeing and engaging in things that were unheard of five years ago. As we listen to their heartache and journey with them through battles, personal weariness eventually sets in. Do you resonate with this?
Too often, we pour and give out from an empty “well.” Our bodies and minds are tired, yet we do little to increase our strength. Drink from His well. Let Him be your source of living water (John 7:37-38).
Just as Jesus grew in wisdom, so must we. We must be refueled by the Word of God and re-energized by the counsel of those who have gone before us. Before we can teach, we must listen and learn. Before we can encourage, we must be encouraged. Our quiet time with Christ must not be a “to-do” that we check off but a gift that we prioritize. Too often, we pour and give out from an empty “well.” Our bodies and minds are tired, yet we do little to increase our strength. I often forget that the Holy Spirit is Christ’s gift to me. I always have the secret counsel and friendship of God with me (Psalm 25). We are to be about the Father’s business, continually seeking Him for wisdom and understanding. Our spirits are renewed when we spend uninterrupted time listening and learning from God and others.
We are to be about the Father’s business, continually seeking Him for wisdom and understanding.
Our spirits are renewed when we spend uninterrupted time listening and learning from God and from others.
What are we increasing in, youth leaders? Are we seeking wellness and health in all capacities? Your growth is valuable to God. John 15:4 ESV says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” These words remind me that God wants to be with us. The fruit we desire in our lives and student ministries are a direct result of our closeness to God. We cannot shepherd without a personal pursuit of THE Great Shepherd. Fruitfulness is not measured by what we do or how many students we counsel. God is after our hearts. He delights in our knowing and understanding of who He is. May we increase in wisdom as we abide in Christ.
