After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Luke 2:43 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, Joseph and Mary not being aware of the fact that You were not with them is a huge metaphor for me today. How many times have I ventured off on some fleshly excursion oblivious to the fact that You were not with me? Yes, I know You were there. You’ve promised never to leave me nor forsake me. But how many times have I left You and was not aware? Times when You were not aligned with my actions, my thoughts, my pursuits? Times when I have transitioned from worship into everyday life and am unaware of Your presence?
Where my soul rejoices this morning is in the fact that I truly do not have to go and find You like Joseph and Mary did (Luke 2:44), but instead You go and find me (Matthew 18:12-14)! When I wander off You pursue me and bring me back home. In Your love for me You find me where I am, take me in Your arms, and carry me back. You have promised that You will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). What a glorious promise!
So I pray today that You would temper my prone to wander heart. Continue to heal it and renew it. Make it like gospel fueled gorilla glue that I might all day every day cling to You! Lord Jesus, continue to sensitize me to those instances where I find myself leaving You. Not just those blatant times when I am going clearly in the opposite direction. But especially in those subtle seasons where my path is ever so slightly deviating from Yours, where I find myself drifting away unaware. It’s then that I need You to bring me home because home, in Your presence, is where I want to be. I pray this in Your Name. Amen.