Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

I very well remember September 27, 1970, when the first grandbaby in my immediate family made his appearance.

 

My nephew Brad was born in Olathe, Kansas and the hospital rules were stricter then than now. I was 12 years old and sitting in the OB waiting room with my parents. We had all read the posted sign: “No one under age 14 allowed in  Waiting Room.“  We simply ignored the rule and hoped no one would notice, because I was so excited about this birth! I absolutely did not want to be excluded on such a special occasion! I also very well remember the nurse that came out, took one look at me, and promptly threw me out.

Nevertheless, the arrival of that baby rocked our world and we were never the same. My mother passed away in 2015 and I read her diaries. One of her entries was about her grandson Brad, which read: “I  kept Bradley today. He is like my very own; no difference.” Tears fall even now when I think of the beauty and truth of those words. Our family witnessed her beautiful love for all five of her grandchildren.

 

The Old Testament account of Boaz and Ruth’s marriage and Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi is very touching. “So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife…and she gave birth to a son.  Then the women of the town said to Naomi, …May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:13-15 NLT). (Seven was considered a number of completeness, so to have seven sons was the epitome of all family blessings in Israel.) The beautiful love of a grandmother is a priceless treasure. “Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own” (Ruth 4:16 NLT). In this verse, we see the special love between a grandmother and a grandson.

 

In the New Testament, we find the beautiful love between a mother and a son.  When Jesus was suffering on the cross, he had his adoring mother on his mind. “Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And He said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27 NLT). Evidently John was standing by Mary, giving her consolation and comfort. In this passage we see the special love between a mother and a son.

 

Mary was nearly 50 years old and a widow. Jesus deeply loved and honored His mother  and, while in terrible pain and suffering, Jesus tenderly thought of her. He knew it was the responsibility of children to care for their elderly parents and provide a proper burial for them. Although Mary had other children, Jesus was her firstborn and He needed to know that His precious mother would be taken care of when He left this world. Since John was the only disciple devoted and brave enough to be at the crucifixion, I believe Jesus knew He could trust John to be lovingly committed to the care of  His mother Mary.

 

It’s been said that as death draws nearer, the dying individual narrows their thoughts down to those who are nearest and dearest. Jesus proved this to be true.  Let’s not wait until death is approaching to demonstrate beautiful love to our mother and grandmothers. Remember, no matter how old we are, we never outgrow our need for a mother.

 

The Key: A lovely bouquet of roses to all mothers and grandmothers — you are a VIP!

It was probably the best Mother’s Day I’ve ever had, certainly since my children have been living on their own.  Granted, it’s hard to beat the coupon books they created for me when they first were learning to write.  Scribbles of “I won’t argue with my brothers all day long” or “I will make you breakfast in bed someday” or “I will wash your car if you help me” were hand-crafted delights held together by a bow of knitting yarn, and each had a special message that inspired me to be a better mom.

When Jeff and Andy, two of my (then, grown) sons, lived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I spoke at their church’s Mother’s Day service.  The message?  Do as I say and not as I did.  Before the second service, Jeff and Andy greeted me with a dozen roses.  During my talk I introduced them to the members of the congregation who delighted in watching the boys’ expressions as I spoke of their childhood shenanigans.

I  addressed the ten greatest lessons I learned as a mother.  Number five was this: it’s a waste of time to worry. When I asked the women in the audience to raise their hands if they worry, all but a handful did so.  The others lied. I explained that worry is not trusting God is in charge, and it’s difficult to grow in a relationship with Him as long as we live in a world of “what ifs.”

Jesus makes that clear: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens. They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:22-26)   My listeners nodded.  They pretended to get it.

The rest of that Sunday was perfect. My step-daughters called me, and the boys treated me to a wonderful brunch and a facial at a local spa.  I went to bed, thanking God for the many blessings from that day.  No concerns.  No fretting. Life was good.

Then Monday rolled around. Jeff, Andy and I were discussing their upcoming schedules.  Jeff let it slip that their fall plans included motorcycling across Southeast Asia.

Surely they meant southeast Kansas. In a car. Like an Abrams Battle Tank.

“You’re not serious,” I began. From across the table, Andy shot Jeff the “You’ve blown it now” look.  I pressed on. “Are you aware that tigers, cobras, crocodiles and cannibals live there?  Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?  How fast can a motorcycle escape a tsunami?  Who else is going?  Have you lost your minds?”  You know, small details like that.

The boys assured me that it was not a big deal and they would be safe and I needed to follow the advice I had given the moms the day before.  A diversion tactic. I recognized it immediately.

“Easy for you to say,” I lectured. “And while you’re at it, why don’t you go sky-diving without a parachute or snorkel with great white sharks or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in flip-flops?  You could always solo across the Pacific in an inner tube or wrestle starving alligators in the Louisiana Bayou or put an apple on your head and be target practice for a serial killer.”

The best I could figure, I had four months of sleepless nights ahead of me.  But then Andy quoted my talk.  “Mom, it’s a sin to worry.”  As much as it went against my nature, I revisited Luke’s passage.  By worrying about this insane, suicide mission my sons were planning, I could accomplish no good.  God was in control, and if He could provide for the birds, surely He could take care of Jeff and Andy.  Of course, birds don’t go looking for trouble by doing stupid things like riding motorcycles half-way around the universe.

It was much easier to stick to the other advice I had given the mothers: Do as I say. Not as I do.

 

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

You May Be Seated

 

Have you ever attended a wedding when the minister forgot to tell the audience to be seated? I have and it was terribly awkward. We continued to stand because we were patiently waiting to hear, “Please be seated,” but the appropriate moment came and went and there we stood, uncomfortable and annoyed. Finally, the minister noticed and gave us permission to sit.  I’ve been involved in enough weddings and funerals to write a bizarre book. Just when I think I’ve seen and heard it all, I find out I haven’t. Americans should be used to standing in line (and maybe we are) but I don’t think we like it. A lady who lived to be over 100 years old was asked what her secret to longevity was. She answered, “I never stood when I could sit, and I never sat when I could lay down.”   

 

In the natural, believers are living on the earth being the hands and feet of Jesus. But at the same time (in the spiritual realm) we are seated with Christ because we are united with Him. We’re to be loving examples of God’s favor and kindness because of what He has done for us through His Son. “But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that…He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us…as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7 NLT).

 

We have a tendency to be so focused and involved in the busyness and stress of life that we completely forget where we are in the heavenly realm. No matter what negative or challenging situations we’re in, we must remember that we have the privilege to be at rest. Many occupations require individuals to be on their feet for the entire shift. We’ve all heard someone say, “I’ve been on my feet all day — I’ve simply got to sit down!” Spiritually speaking, God in His mercy has provided a comfortable and relaxing place for His children to sit down. We can stand in the natural while being seated in the Spirit.

 

However, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Recently, my friend Carie and I were seated at a table at the local coffee house when another church friend approached to say “hello.” At least twice I offered him the extra seat, but he politely refused to accept it. Jesus has a chair just for you, but it’s your choice to accept or reject it. Why wear yourself out by standing on your own two feet when you don’t have to? Being at rest and seated with Christ is an inclusive privilege when we are truly united with Him.

 

I suspect there are a large number of Christ followers who are refusing to be seated next to Jesus. By either not knowing any better or just plain stubbornness, we  reject the rest that is rightfully ours. In the midst of our struggles we often overlook and miss the open seat that’s available to us. Why in the world would we refuse the peace we so desperately need when our feet and heart are crying out for mercy? We can choose to accept the  comfort of resting in Him. When we’re seated next to Christ, we’re set free from the stress and troubles that are beyond our control. Are you going to trust Jesus to be big enough to love on you and take care of you? Why stand alone when you can sit together?

 

The Key: Let’s get off our feet and take our seat.

My friend Melanie had arranged for me to deliver a TEDx talk in Delaware on the rewards of rejection.  For months ahead of time, I was challenged with the very thing about which I would be speaking: rejection.  A ZOOM call last week confirmed that this assignment was far above my ability when I met the other 26 scheduled speakers.

I was to address the audience at 3:30 this past Saturday afternoon.  I was allowed no notes, no power point, and I had 15 minutes allotted for my memorized speech.  That was the most difficult part.  (If you don’t know by now, I have a hard time shortening my stories, much less memorizing a speech.)

That ZOOM call was the first time I had seen the faces of the other speakers and realized that they all were talking about nuclear fission (or is it fusion), metaphysical instability of the planetary system, and how nucleotides relate to photosynthesis.  Okay, I made those up, but they’re not far off.  The other speakers had more letters after their names than I have in mine.  (I mean, how many PhD’s do people need?)

A circle, 10-feet in diameter, would be on the stage floor.  I was not to leave that circle or I would fall into a hole.  Okay, I made that up too, but should I stray beyond the line, the camera could not film me.  Fine with me, I thought.

One of the other speakers–there for a repeat performance–warned us not to use words like “energy.” And whyyyyyyy? I wanted to ask.  Apparently she was referring to the word as it relates to thermodynamics or entropy and not as simpletons like me would use it (“I have no energy today.”)  We also shouldn’t say anything not backed up by irrefutable facts unless we state that it is our opinion. (Do I begin my talk with “Everything you are about to hear is my opinion?”)

At the end of the ZOOM call, we were asked if we had questions.  “Yes,” I wanted to say, “What do I do with my purse when I am speaking?”  However, since the other questions were at a much higher academic level, I refrained.

We were told that the audience could go to the fourth floor if they weren’t interested in the topic being presented.  Immediately, I pictured all the scientists and researchers in the room exiting as I am introduced.  Here I would be talking about the rewards of being rejected, and I will have to demonstrate the beauty of no one listening to me.

The thought crossed my mind that this might be great fodder for my book about rejection; however, since the publisher already has the final copy, it’s too late for that.  But then, as usual, God dealt with my concerns/fears/panic.  In the past few days, I have spoken to four parents whose families are in trouble.  Trouble that totally eclipses my petty concerns about me.

Yesterday parent number five told me about how bad her day had gone but ended with this: “I was getting worked up over things that were out of my control.  God has my days planned.  It’s times like this that give me an opportunity to let Him be in charge, yet I fail to see His blessings.  What’s wrong with me?”

Ouch!

Colossians 3:15 needs to be my life verse: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. God had used Melanie to give me an opportunity of a lifetime, and I was fretting it away.  Next week, I will share the miracles He provided to calm my fears, thanks to some prayer warrior friends and relatives.

 

 

 

Fort Scott, “the Jewel of S/E Kansas

I got a feeling… everything’s ‘gonna be OK,

I got a feeling… the Old Fort is here to stay.

We got engineers to lead us,

We got grants to rebuild Wall Street,

Sewer and water lines and Horton Street

We got a 100-block-per-year street improvement program,

With a new heated and stirred asphalt emulsion tank.

We even got a brick crew leveling up the historic brick streets!

I got a feeling… everything’s ‘gonna be OK,

I got a feeling… the Old Fort is here to stay.

We got funds that stay in the right place,

We got 6 mil in the sewer account, and we got plans

To start rebuilding per our comprehensive plan.

We got beer sales on Sundays and

We no longer have to go to the line.

We now have a million or two in the lake account, (Skitch led the way)

With lake improvements on-going (new docks, beach improvements,

Campground and shelter house repairs).

We have funds in our parks account, with improvements on the horizon.

I got a feeling… everything’s ‘gonna be OK,

I got a feeling… the Old Fort is here to stay.

We got new city management (born and raised in FS),

And commissioners who make policy and hold everyone accountable.

We got a new school district superintendent, and soon-to-be new college pres.

We got a new truck route policy (with enforcement coming)

This is to keep the heavy trucks off our side streets.

Best of all, we have a new attitude! “We Can” instead of “We Can’t”!

We are doing it! Just look at the renovations going on downtown

And you will see! Citizens of Fort Scott… pat yourselves on the back.

We have just begun!

I got a feeling… everything’s ‘gonna be OK,

I got a feeling… the Old Fort is here to stay.

 

Pete Allen

5/4/2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really enjoy living in the country — it just suits me to a T and makes me thankful and happy. I’m not at all bothered by the off-key singing of coyotes, and I love the playful squirrels, bunnies, chirping birds, and fat groundhogs. However, there are some varmints I could do without. My son Aaron and I were in the barn one evening and he discovered a rat hiding behind some plywood. Varmints don’t have a chance around my pistol-packin’ son — one shot and the rat was a goner. After he killed it, I went into the house to do something. A few minutes later I noticed Aaron standing outside in front of the kitchen bay window grinning and holding the rat by its tail. I’ve heard that a cat will kill a mouse and then bring it to its master for praise and approval.

 

Like a snake in the grass or a rat in the barn, the devil is a lurking mangy varmint. He continually prowls around looking for “too-busy Christians” so he can wreak havoc in their lives. Neglecting to schedule God time into our daily schedule is like leaving the barn door open for all the varmints to take up residence. Spending personal time with our heavenly Father in prayer and in His Word is when we are in the secret place. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty“ (Psalm 91:1 NKJV).  God has given believers every weapon and tool we need to not only survive but thrive. He is our provider, shelter and security. Calmness in the storm can be ours if we choose to really live in the secret place of Almighty God.

 

When we give God a goodly piece of our time, He gives us peace for our mind. Jesus needed alone time with His Father and so do we. While the world may have gone off the deep end, Christ followers can keep our hearts open to the abiding presence of God.  On our own strength, we’re no match for the devil. But when we live under the shadow of Almighty God, we have access to His power, grace, and stability. When the chips are down, we don’t have to fold because we have the power to stand our ground. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

 

Don’t believe the devil’s lies when he whispers that you’re a “zero.” Jesus says that you can be a “ten” through Him. The apostle Paul wrote the following letter to the Church in Ephesus: “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:16,17,19 NLT). These crucial truths are still in effect for all believers today.

 

The Key:  Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by neglecting your secret place with God.

For five hours, I tried to get someone to solve my problem.  I prayed for patience and understanding and no irritability.  For about the first four hours, that worked.  In the fifth hour, patience and understanding and no irritability left the room.

I admitted it was my mistake.  I had googled a hotel where I needed to book two nights.  I typed the name and address in my search bar.  That hotel appeared on my screen.  I picked the size bed and read about the amenities.  The rooms cost more than I had ever spent on a hotel accommodation, but I had to stay where the other speakers were staying.  As soon as I pushed the “Pay now” button, I realized that I had chosen the wrong month. Immediately, I tried to change the date. Nope.  Changes and cancellations were not allowed.  Not good.

Several phone calls and emails later, I realized that I had not dealt directly with the hotel.  Some “third party” had intercepted my google request and had made my reservation.  So wrong!  I called my credit card to ask for my reservation to be cancelled.  Since it was “pending,” there was nothing they could do. Except for that human voice, it wasn’t until the fifth hour of talking to robots that I finally connected to another human, Raul.  When I asked him to simply change March to April, he said that my request was impossible. He was adamant.  I said that my request was possible.  I was adamant.  Round and round we went.

In the hours leading up to that conversation, I concocted Plan A and, if necessary, Plan B.  Fortunately, A worked.  “Raul,” I said, “I will get off this call and cancel my credit card.  You will not get paid.  Or you can change my dates and get your money.”  Apparently I had pushed the right button because within 45 minutes my room had been cancelled (not changed but cancelled).  Five days later, my money was reimbursed. By then the room price had increased dramatically, but at least I would be there when I needed to be and not a month earlier.

Dave said that Plan B was not a Christian thing to do. I consider it ingenious. I was going to tell Raul that if this was not resolved, I would call a shelter near the hotel and donate my two March nights to a worker (or maybe a homeless person).  Surely that would set things in motion. And, except for the motive being revenge, it would be a very charitable contribution.

Revenge, although I justified it in this case, is never right.  Romans 12:19 tells us to leave vengeance to the Lord and not to take matters into our own hands.  But what about when we clearly are in the right? Okay, sort of in the right. Like I was.

Nope.  Not even then. That’s because when we act to pay someone back, several things happen: our relationship with others is damaged; we do not allow God to bring blessings into our life; our Christian witness to others stinks; and it proves how selfish we really are.  In other words, we are spiritually damaged when we operate out of revenge.

Proverbs 10:12 speaks to my situation: Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. In my case, patience and understanding and no irritability were traits wasted on robots who kept telling me which buttons to push (and in the process, pushed most of mine).  By the time I reached Raul, he heard a frustrated person determined to win this five-hour long battle.  The only person that day who needed to hear a kind, gracious Christian speak…well, didn’t.

And we all know which needed to benefit more…and it certainly wasn’t the robots.

 

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

Many years ago I played and sang for a funeral in Pleasanton. I specifically remember that the family had requested, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Prior to the service, I was sitting at the piano and arranging my music when the minister approached me. He asked me about the song because he was unfamiliar with it and wanted to make sure it was appropriate for the occasion. I smiled and responded, “Yes, it’s a fine song,” and to really drive it on home I added, “Elvis recorded it.”

 

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23,24 NLT). Every step Christ followers take in obedience toward spiritual renewal and wholeness matters. God’s children are to have the faith to believe and trust where their final destination will be at the end of this earthly life. However, the exact twists and turns are known only to Him as He  gently whispers to us the best route (if we care to pay attention). Not paying attention to God’s leading is one of our biggest hindrances. We need to fine-tune our ears and spirit to His voice so we’ll know how and where to walk.

 

Sometimes believers are tempted to try to walk in someone else’s footsteps. Getting our eyes off of Jesus and onto another human being is unwise and discouraging. When someone retires or dies, you might hear these words: “Yes, he left some really big shoes to fill.“ Truthfully, we aren’t supposed to fill anyone else’s shoes, we’re supposed to fill our own. Trying to walk in someone’s shoes is simply too hard because they don’t fit. God has designed an individual pathway system for every person on planet earth.

 

God’s Word tells Christians to hold firmly to what we believe. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). We aren’t supposed to come to God with a spiritual-inferiority complex. We can confidently approach our loving heavenly Father to receive what we need when the chips are down.

 

Since God is faithful, we can rely on Him to show us our next steps. Life is too complicated and we’re too goofy to walk it out on our own. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:14,16 NLT). God wants His children (believers) to utilize the privileges of who we are in Christ. And we’re either righteous or we’re not —  there‘s no gray area. “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30 TPT).

 

My grown and married kids don’t knock on my door — they just walk in. They understand who they are in relationship to me and they understand their privileges. They don’t timidly ask if they may have a glass of tea or a cookie. They know they have the right to access whatever I have because they are mine and I love them. Believers need to tap into what belongs to us because of who we are in relationship to our heavenly Father.  He delights in giving generously to His kids.

 

The Key: Be still, listen for God’s voice, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.  John 15:14

“Sally, my flight has been delayed.  I’m not getting in at 9:00.  I’m getting in at midnight, so I’m going to get a hotel room and you can pick me up in the morning.”  My friend would have none of it.  “I don’t care when you get in.  I’m coming to get you.  That way, we have more time together.”  My arguments for a hotel went nowhere.

Getting in to the KC airport at 9:00 was bad enough, but a few weeks previous, when I asked Sally if she would be able to pick me up, let me spend the night at her house in Kansas City and drive me to Fort Scott the next day, she responded, “I thought you’d never ask.”       That’s what she said.  “I thought you’d never ask.”

Who has friends like that?

I know that Sally drives back and forth between KC and Fort Scott a couple of times a week, but I had no idea if this was one of her scheduled days.  Good friends like her make it one, even if it isn’t. What I didn’t realize was that she and Gary, her husband, were making a trip to KC from Fort Scott just to pick me up.  And now, three hours later than intended.

The fact that she made the trip is one thing.  The fact that she did not make me feel guilty about it is another.  This was sacrificial, and I knew it.

When I deplaned at midnight, Sally was waiting for me by baggage claim, arms extended and thanking me for letting her come and get me.  Say WHAT?  And the next day, when she and Gary drove me to Fort Scott, she asked that every time I fly into the KC airport, I give her first chance to pick me up.  No matter what time.

Someone once said, “Tell me with whom you hang, and I will tell you who you are.” I am blessed with wonderful friends I don’t deserve. They know me well but like me anyway. We are transparent with each other.  We laugh and cry together…sometimes at the same time. We empathize with each other’s disappointments and celebrate successes.

Sally makes me realize how important it is to be there for my friends when they need me (or even when they don’t). As I am writing this article, I am reminded that I need to be a Sally kind of friend to Jesus…one who spends more time “hanging” with him, one who always makes him a priority, one whom I greet with arms extended, one who is ready to do his bidding day or night, sacrificially, without grumbling or making excuses.

Look at the scripture at the top of this article: You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. My words are cheap without obedience to Jesus.  If I am nudged to pray for someone in the middle of the night, I immediately should jump out of bed and get on my knees and be grateful for the opportunity; Jesus should know that I am trustworthy and will do as he asks.  If I have a chance to share him with others, I cannot hesitate or decide the timing isn’t quite right or hope someone else steps in to give his/her testimony.  I should never remind my Savior of what I have done for him or brag about those actions to other people.

Sally might think that the only thing she has done for me is provide transportation and a room.  In reality, she unknowingly has demonstrated how much I need to learn about being a great friend, a sacrificial friend…to others, but especially to Jesus.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

Awhile back I was shopping at a thrift store and discovered a piece of jewelry that was quite a find, at least for me. It was a necklace with three letters “TCB” with a lightning bolt nestled between the T and the B. I could hardly believe my eyes! Most people probably wouldn’t have known or cared what they were looking at, but I did. The TCB logo was designed by Priscilla Presley and stands for “Taking Care of Business,” which was Elvis’ personal motto. When he returned to touring in 1969, his musicians were called the “TCB Band.“ Even though Elvis left the building in 1977, Elvis Presley Enterprises is still taking care of business at Graceland in Memphis.

 

I’m intrigued with the account of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus in Jerusalem when he was twelve years old. When it came time to head back home to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph assumed he was among their relatives and acquaintances. But when the entourage stopped for the evening, they discovered Jesus was nowhere to be found. When they returned to Jerusalem to look for him, “…they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they [Mary and Joseph] saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously‘“ (Luke 2:46-48 NKJV.) Jewish boys reach the age of religious responsibility at the age of twelve, so this incident was a crucial moment in Jesus‘ spiritual development.

 

“And He [Jesus] said to them, ’Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business’”? (Luke 2:49 NKJV.) Jesus seems to have assumed that His mother understood His mission better than she really did. I think Jesus was surprised to discover that his parents didn’t search for Him in the temple right off the bat. Jesus was taking care of His Father’s business because He understood His mission even as a young man.

 

As Christ followers, do we really understand our mission? Jesus is our example and He loved, taught, and healed wherever He went. “And He [Jesus] got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat” (Luke 5:3 NASB.) Jesus’ ministry was not confined to the church building; He took advantage of all locations and situations so He could help people everywhere everyday. Jesus told Simon that he would begin fishing for people. Do we realize that catching fish is our mission and cleaning fish is God’s?

 

How do believers take care of business for the King? We are to walk in love, be generous, and forgive others. Jesus taught the hard straight truth that how we treat others is the same as how we treat Him (ref. Matthew 25:41-45). Christ followers must be careful not to put the business of everyday life ahead of the Father’s business. Jesus was sent to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God and He “went around doing good“ (Acts 10:38 NLT.) We are preaching to others what we believe simply by how we live. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.”

 

The Key: Taking care of our Father’s business happens everyday everywhere.