Do You Feel Discontent?

“And He 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)

This morning I woke up with a real sense of urgency, it almost felt like my spirit just wanted to jump right out of my body. It’s hard to explain. I got up, got ready for the day and found myself snapping at the children and my husband. Oops. I took myself outside to assess what was REALLY going on. I was discontent.

Discontent means:
“a restless desire or craving for something one does not have.”      (www.dictionary.com)

That was me. I was certainly discontent.

I have so many monstrous, unrealised dreams in my heart, some that I know are from God, yet I am not seeing any of them come to pass. Can you relate?

As we look at today’s verse, we see Jesus ‘being about His Father’s business‘ but He was reprimanded by His parents for not being with them. Was He sinning? No. Did He feel an urgency to get out there and bring the good news? I believe so.

Think about it. Jesus had been missing for 5 days. 5 DAYS!. Can you imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt?

A Missing Child.

When our eldest daughter was only 4 years old, we were at a Wiggles concert that was held in a tent, at an outdoors show ground. We had gone with another mum and her little boy. It was a fantastic concert (back with the original cast), and afterwards, the little boy decided to take my daughter to see one of the stands – by themselves. It wasn’t his fault. He was just so excited. One second they were standing right next to us, the next they were gone. They had gotten lost in a sea of people that appeared out of seemingly nowhere. I was frantic. There are extra security people at children’t concerts because people specifically go there to take children to hurt them. THIS IS MY GREATEST NIGHTMARE EVER!

I was running around, screaming out the children’s names. The part that amazed me most was that no-one came to my rescue. No-one asked if they could help, they didn’t even seem to care. Everyone just ignored me. I stood still and realised I had an inner peace that I couldn’t explain. I got myself together and remembered that angels are sent to guard and protect us (Psalm 91:11 ESV). I commanded the angels to go and find the children and bring them back to me. Within 5 minutes, a lady came to me as I was still calling their names, and said that 2 children had been found and were with the security people. When I got to the children I dropped to my knees, embraced my daughter tightly, and cried and cried. I felt every emotion from anger – to relief – to fear – to joy, all mixed in together. It was the longest 15-20 minutes of my life!

What might Mary have been thinking as she was looking for her missing child? Would these emotions have been running through her veins also? Could you imagine your own child, or someone you love, missing for 5 days? The Bible says in Luke 2:48 ESV that Mary said to Jesus, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, Your father and I have been searching for You in great distress.“ Can you hear the frustration, the anger, and somewhere in there her relief?

When we do things out of God’s timing, it usually makes things go awry and we affect others in ways we can’t comprehend.

When Jesus was found, He was going about what He was sent to the earth to do. It doesn’t give details in Scripture but knowing that Jesus is filled with compassion, I am sure He felt something seeing His mother’s fear, frustration, and relief upon Him being found. He responded to His parents’ correction by going with them to Nazareth and “was submissive to them” (Luke 2:51 ESV). We don’t read about Him again until 18 years after this time.

Was Jesus discontent? It certainly appears so. He knew what He was called to do and He wanted to go about doing it. However, there is a process that needs to be adhered to.

We all need to grow in maturity, knowledge, experience, love, perseverance, patience, humility, social skills, etc. before we can be launched out into the world. Otherwise, disaster is left in our wake and broken people are left wondering what happened? I have been on both sides of this. How about you?

This is confirmed in verse 52 of the same chapter:

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.” 

What a fantastic verse! If Jesus needed to grow in these things, how much more should we desire these traits.

There Is A Perfect Time For Everything.

Ecclesiastes 3 says that there is a time for everything. God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Sometimes we just have to trust that. God knows everything. That’s why He is God and we are not. Thank goodness for that!

Back to my story. Was I sinning in my discontentment? No, but I was sinning in my reaction to it. I repented to the children, my husband, and God, and got on with my day.

My calling is still there, I just have to wait for God’s timing.

Please, Don’t Give Up.

How about you? Do you have big dreams in your heart and are feeling frustrated in the waiting of their fulfilment? Know that Jesus sees all and that He has promised to never leave you (Hebrews 13:5a). He WILL bring to completion the work that He began in you (Philippians 1:6).

Take heart, precious one. Never give up for Jesus will NEVER give up on you!

What are some of the dreams you have?

I pray that you will be blessed with a new level of determination and perseverance today.

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