Consequential years
What is the most consequential 2-to-4-year period in your life? That question came to mind as Jami and I have had the opportunity to watch young Hudson Winter grow these past few months. An argument could be made for the period between infancy and four years of age. The verbal development is remarkable, from zero to hundreds of words in comprehension. Then there are both the gross and fine motor skills coming on-line.
Or think back on the development from sixth grade to ninth grade. For many of us that was the span awash in puberty. We also got to navigate the change from one school to another, and what a joy that can be.
High school was a period of transition and skill acquisition. College follows for many,
while others enter the work force. Either way, that four-year period sees a person taking on greater responsibility, having the opportunity to vote in elections, and becoming an adult.
Then again, those first four years of marriage bring tremendous change. You get used to making a new home with someone and, as is often the case, you get to bring other new lives into both the world and your home!
Even as you get older there are changes. You become empty nesters, then in-laws. And sooner or later you get to be a nana or a pops.
While our Lord Jesus didn’t experience every one of these changes, each phase of His life was important. It was of consequence in the life that He would offer into death to forgive the sins of the world.
His infancy and the flight to Egypt were fulfillment of prophecies. His growth in the home established by Mary and Joseph was one like ours, enabling Him to empathize fully with us. His discussions at the age of twelve with the scribes and teachers in the Temple are telling.
The period of the public ministry is by and large the content of the Gospels: talk about a significant set of years! And that Last Day is on the way, one which will reveal eternal consequence due to faith in the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord.
Truly, all along life’s way God is at work. He was in the life of Jesus, and He is in yours! Each day is of consequence as you live in His calling.
One encouragement for these present, precious days is St. Paul’s call to continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.