Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart..
Luke 2:7
There was a remarkable event that happened early in my ministry that really saved me from self-sabotage. It was in the early days of the manifestation of my revelation gifts. I had been invited to a church to minister at a vigil, it was a bigger church than my local assembly and the opportunity felt right and good. I left for this church without informing my pastor, whereas there was another vigil going on in my own church too.
A few minutes into the vigil the Lord asked me ‘what are you doing here?’ It sounded strange! He asked again and again, this time the basis of the question started making sense to me. The Lord questioned why I had to disrespect my pastor in that manner; why I had to abandon my local assembly for a bigger stage. In summary, God made it clear to me that I was becoming proud, the anointing was already making me feel on top of the world and God waited for the perfect timing to reveal my reality to me. Instantly, I packed my bible and took a bike to run down to my church, not only to attend the vigil but to apologise to my pastor.
When a man’s status changes, his true colour begins to manifest. When he becomes richer, more anointed, or more educated than the rest, the tendency to feel better than the rest begins to arise. Interestingly, in Jesus, we see a different kind of example. The Bible tells us that “…after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! (Philippians 2:8 – AMPC).
Think about it, just moments ago, Jesus was debating the scriptures with rabbis and scholars, he was questioning them to the extent that everyone marvelled at his wisdom even though he was just twelve. Of course, his earthly parents were not ignorant of the fact that Jesus is God. Knowing all these things about himself and being aware that the people are beginning to come to terms with the fact that he is not an ordinary child is enough to make anyone proud, yet the bible says that after the lost and found drama in the temple, Jesus went down to Nazareth with his parents and was obedient to them.
Always remember that there is nothing you have that was not given to you by God. More importantly, there is nothing you are that no one has ever been. Therefore, our response to whatever blessing, breakthrough, or achievement that God gives us should be to humble ourselves before men and God.
When Jesus humbled himself under these human parents, the bible says that “..he grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Do you want to grow in favour with God and with men? Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:10)
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge your authority in my life. Grant me the grace to cultivate a spirit of humility and obedience, recognizing that true greatness is found in serving others. May my actions and attitudes align with your divine order, leading to an increase in favour with you and those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
