Living in Ordinary Time
Luke 2:52

As the excitement of Christmas fades into memories, what’s next? The Church calendar, or liturgical calendar, says the next season of focus is called, “Ordinary Time.”

Two simple verses summarize Jesus’ own “ordinary time.”

Luke 2:40,52

There is no day too ordinary for God to do something significant. 

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Because, for better or for worse, there is no such thing as a static Christian. 

Is there a longing in your heart to “grow” in Christlikeness - to be formed in Christ in the ordinary days ahead?

Matthew 7:7-10

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. 

When we talk about wisdom, we’re talking about acquiring the skill of managing life: 
	Understanding and applying Christian truth
	Discerning and practicing what’s essential for godly living

I can grow in wisdom the same way Jesus did…
	Through the truth of the Scriptures filling my thoughts, guiding my actions and shaping my heart
	Through participating in the life of our faith community
	Through daily dependence on God - forgiveness, healing, light, grace
	Through listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice - whispers of caution, action, conviction, love and
	kindness, compassion, and humility

Proverbs 3:13-18

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. 

We can understand that as growing into, or becoming fit (or suitable) for something that was intended. 

Isaiah 53:2

Our bodies are such a stumbling block to us! We live in a society where our body is used to meet most of our ego needs…
	For admiration from others
	For our own self-concept
	For sexual gratification
	For power over others

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 6:13-19

Father, you created my body, therefore I present it to you as a living sacrifice and act of worship. In doing so…
	I will not worry about sickness, aging or death— for you hold all those things in your power.
	I will not use my body for sensual gratification or to manipulate or dominate others.  
	I commit myself to properly care for my body with rest, good eating habits and regular exercise.
	I ask for your grace to control my tongue, my eyes, my hands and my feet - may each be used to lovingly serve you and others.
	May the peace of God bring true rest to my body today and always.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. 

As Jesus grew up - as He matured - His love for God grew in equal measure to His love for man. 

Hebrews 4:15 

That’s why He could welcome the woman who was married five times, or heal the leper that nobody else would touch, or sit among the children who were only a nuisance to everyone else.

James 2:15-17 

Every ordinary day is packed with both God and man, if we have eyes to see.

God is forming us into a people after his own heart. And the place of that formation is the small ordinary moments of today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter. They all matter to God.