Desires of the Heart

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52

As many times as I’ve read the ‘Christmas Story’, the narrative of Jesus’ birth, I never thought much about this particular verse. I merely looked on it as a statement of transition from infancy to childhood. However, this time I saw so much more. Notice that Jesus’ increase in favor with God came before His favor with men. I don’t know about you, but WOW! The order of words certainly holds meaning ladies! How many of us try to grow in favor with men? Ok, first remember that we have decided to open our hearts to God so that he can dig in deep and reveal to us all things hidden that are hindering our hearts from aligning to His desires for us. Now that we have that straight I will ask again, are you trying to grow in favor with men? I know that has often been the desire of my heart.

Let me give you a few examples that may ring true.——Join all the clubs or sports and keep a perfect scholastic record so that I will be the desired candidate for the college scholarship. Land the career that is esteemed in the eye of our society. Marry the man who will provide a home and children. Adorn the home in a manner that would impress Hobby Lobby. Bear children who can be paraded around proving my success as a mother. Sign these golden children up for every activity known to man because they must be well rounded. Go on the vacations that every family splatters across their social media, especially Disney. Sport the trendiest clothing, pocketbooks, nails, and accessories that every woman will notice. Say yes to every invite and function because “what would they think if I didn’t show?”. —- I feel sure that some, if not all of these feel at least somewhat familiar. We often make these decisions without even realizing our true motivations. All of these things in and of themselves are not bad, but remember it is the heart that God is concerned about. Yes, a good reputation among men is essential to spreading the Gospel. I mean if Jesus grew in His reputation among men shouldn’t we.

Pay close attention to the fact that His favor with God came first. Only after God’s favor will we find favor with men and thus grow our influence. If we desire to align our hearts with God’s will, we must desire His favor above men. So what does that look like? Yes, you may have a job, active children, a suitable home, and vacations. However, you do not have too! And your success in these things does not make you favored by God. Society’s standards are not God’s. God loves you and me exactly as we are, even at our worst. So how do we earn favor with God? Is there a golden scale?

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Show God that you love Him! This is done simply as the scripture states, keep His commandments. That’s a big order to fill, isn’t it? We need God’s help in order to keep His commands to show that we love Him. Again let us look at Jesus as our model. Jesus increased in wisdom! How might you think He increased in wisdom? Where does wisdom come from?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

So how do we keep His commands and increase in His favor. Ask God for wisdom! Hopefully, you have noticed every step to growing in favor with God points back to relying on God! Meeting society’s standards of a successful life will not increase God’s favor of us nor will it increase our favor with men. However, if we seek God through prayer and studying His word we will walk in His ways, keeping His commands, thus showing our love for Him and growing in His favor. Then and only then will we grow in favor with men in a way that will strengthen our influence for God’s kingdom. This favor will look very different than society’s picture.

Helpful Hint: You will know that you are growing in this area when people stop inviting you to certain worldly functions or discussing specific controversial topics in your presence. When you are known to walk in God’s will people will treat you differently. It may take some adjustment time for you to part with your desire to please and be accepted by men, your feelings may be hurt, and your life will change. Let me assure you that once you begin this process you will be filled with the Joy of the Lord and you will not regret letting Him take first place. Only when He is first will your reputation hold the standing with men that is essential to spreading the Gospel.

Take a moment to pray: Dear God, today I ask for wisdom! I need wisdom to make decisions both small and great. Decisions that will be life changing. I seek to grow in favor with you above all things. Let my people pleasing tendencies fall away and replace them with a desire to love You by keeping Your commands. Dig into my heart and show me the areas I am clinging to that society has etched into my mind as the paths to success. I desire to follow You in every decision that I make. Mold me and make me into a servant You can use to further Your Kingdom. Amen.