MONDAY - 19TH FEBRUARY, 2024
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
THE BOY WHO WON'T FELLOW WITH THE CROWD - Separated Unto Purpose Series 001
Read Luke 2:41- 52
Luke 2:42 - 43, KJV
"42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."
Today, God wants to address the issue of calling. When you have a calling, it chooses you and chooses your life for you as well. Calling determines what sort of life each of us lives and what sorts of sacrifices we make also. While some have such time to socialize; others are tucked into solitude maybe due to their callings and its difference. Today, God wants to show us the boy who won't fellow with the crowd. Through His life, we'll learn the power of the calling, the demands the calling make on us and how important it is to heed the dictates or directives of one's calling. The truth is this, your calling will speak, seeking to direct you into the path you should take in life. All of us can't and won't end up doing or being the same thing. What assures this is the different calling which we heed and follow its directives as it seeks to turn us to choices of life's tasks, obligations and services to humanity that are most suitable to our creation/ordination.
Having visited Jerusalem for the Passover, Jesus' family returns but without him. The Bible records, "and the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem..." Why would a twelve year old boy tarry behind in Jerusalem? Why would a child of that age decide to stay back at the temple where religious activities are being done? Why wasn't boy Jesus eager to return home so that he might have rest and indulge in funs? Why didn't he act like his age mates who returned home with their parents and didn't seek to tarry at Jerusalem? We know that because the Bible says, "they travelled in the company of their kinsfolk" (Lk. 2:44). So, there would have been children of Jesus' age who visited Jerusalem with their parents too.
Meanwhile, I actually found answer to why Jesus tarried behind. Jesus at this time has felt the string of his calling appealing and pulling him to ministry. Though he didn't take the decision of coming to Jerusalem himself, he did took that of tarrying or staying back himself. That's because he has realized it as, "his Father's business which he must be about or be occupied with" (Lk. 2:49). "Why would he do that", you might ask? It's because he has found his delight. And your delight is what becomes your meditation, affection and even craving day and night. Psalm 1:2 puts it this way. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate day and night". What am I trying to establish? The fact that anyone who has found his calling has found a delight to spend time with, on or around. Immediately a man discovers his calling, that thing becomes his or her delight. It impresses, infatuates, delights and urges him on. It becomes what he spends his greatest time on. No wonder, Jesus didn't go home that immediately! Little wonder he forgot Nazareth in order to stay back at Jerusalem. For sure, he let the familiar faces of his parents and acquaintances vanish in order to stay with the doctors of the law who are nothing but total strangers to him. Why would a twelve year old child be this odd yet unique amidst a congregation of many wayfarers? Why would a twelve year old separate Himself so distinctly from the crowd - choosing so differently?
He has found his delight. He has found something to spend day and night with/on. This made him spent three days in the temple hearing and asking questions of the doctors. Look at how Jesus got Himself educated in his calling by relating with masters of the vocation. In like manner, you too must be commanded or attracted by your calling. In all truthfulness, we won't all share the same calling. You might have been called as a sportsman, creative artist, musician or even an inventor. As such, this calling of yours will pull you in a direction. It'll choose for you mentors and role models.
You see, one of the creatures I like watching at play and at work are young chaps. By observing children, I begin to decipher what their likes are. Their likes and what they are specially attracted to and would like to tarry with in others absence may be a big witness to what their calling could be. I have the same experience growing up. So far, I have discovered calling, purpose and destiny by navigating these processes. I can only get better in it and take to the greatest height what I've discovered. The process is just the same.
Mark those who find it easier to be separated, given to something or tarry with something; that thing might be their very calling. As a matter of fact, that's their calling calling them to come and stay forever with what ordainment said they should do. While others didn't see any good in staying further at the temple to savour the things of God, Jesus did. He waited behind. He spent three more days. He worried less about food or where to lay his head. Nowadays, it takes effort persuading adults to attend conferences and seminars away from home. Complaint is always on where to lay their heads and what to eat. But I tell you, if you ever find your calling, it'll rouse you, command you and drive you to responsibility You'll give your eyes no rest until you've actualized it.
Brethren, it's time for separation unto greatness. Stop journeying with the crowd but rather be separated unto your calling. Feed what can feed you and you'll be known with that difference. I see many purposeful people rising up and tarrying with their callings. I'm seeing scientists in the laboratory, sportsmen in training and writers at their desks Such are the future.
PRAYER: Lord, I tap my calling and its uniqueness.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 6:1-7:27, Mark 3:7-30, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 10:3-4
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