TIME SURE DOES FLY

 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. ⁵² Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.  Luke 2:51-52

Did any of you grow up with parents that measured you by the door jam, or by a specific wall in the house, and how they'd mark off how much you've grown?

I remember the hash marks my mom made at my grandparents house to show us " Look you are growing...."  I wonder if Mary and Joseph did that with Jesus?  Imagine having the Son of God as your son.  You know he really could do no wrong.  He didn't sneak out at night to go shoot lots with the fellas.   Nor did he hang out after school to score one with the most popular girl in Nazareth.  But we do know he did sneak away once....and upon being discovered hanging out at the local church droppin' knowledge on the teachers and preachers of his day we see His obedience to return home with his parents.  Then Luke informs us that Jesus grew in wisdom & stature and in favor with God and all the people. 

You know if we aren't really paying attention we too grow.  Either we grow more wise or more foolish.  Either you truly learn from your mistakes and less likely to repeat them, or you continue to make the same foolish mistakes day after day, year after year.  This morning I was reminded of something from one of the most unlikely places (so I thought).  Shortly after doing my morning devotion I received a message from a constituent on LinkedIn congratulating me on an Anniversary.  See it was two years ago since I began my journey in Pastoring, and I haven't had time to stop by the wall to check my growth.

In two years I've experience significant losses (people in general) and as well I have experienced significant growth and restoration.   No, some of the people didn't return, but what GOD did was made sure that I had what I needed to continue to fulfill His will and desire for the campus I shepherd.  Which has made me more wise in how to build, nurture, and develop the team of people that have held my arms up in battle.  I wouldn't dare posture myself as if I have MADE IT, but I am certainly making progress that has been noticed by people in the community.

Which leads me to my stature and the favor of GOD...... I'd be foolish to attempt to compare myself with anyone other than myself.  I've come to realize and recognize my limitations and weaknesses, and have since attempted to employ people that are smarter, wiser, and more creative than I so that GOD's KINGDOM continues to advance forward in the community.  I have many new relationships with the CIVIC Leaders in St. Charles, whereas I didn't before.  I have many new relationships with local pastors in the North End area, as well as a wonderful relationships with my surrounding community (which involve beautiful people that are homeless, Low Income Apt. Managers, and local business owners.) which all are marked areas where I see the favor of GOD.  Because of this favor God has allowed me to be able to leverage these relationships to help business owners employ the unemployed.  Provide medical attention to those without health care.    Provide shelter for those in need.  Provide food for families that were going through hard times.   Provide counseling to those struggling in work, home, and life. 

All of this leads to focusing daily on fulfilling the Great Commandment and Great Commission or as I stole from Israel Houghton " Love God, Love People....." which if you spend time with any person, and see them as the valuable being they are you can't help but to love them.   I am thankful for the reminder today, and encouraged to know GOD has done some amazing things through the people at Calvary Church Connections Campus (C4), and I'm AMAZED at what GOD plans to do in the years to come.  I plan on continuing to focus on developing and deepening my love relationship with HIM, meanwhile loving the people He orchestrates me crossing paths with.   LGLP2014