Can't find God? Here are few suggested starting points...

If you’re reviewing the past year without Matthew 2 as your guide, you’re on the verge of missing a lot.

Aside from the story, the number of places God moves His son into in Matthew 2 is impressive. In fact, there are three easily-overlooked places there that have me looking at Jesus' presence in my life in a deeper way.

Bethlehem

The "city of David" meant a humble beginning for David, and for Jesus as well. By its very essence it was easily overlooked. Even the magi came to a palace in Jerusalem - not a house in Bethlehem - looking for the savior king.

It's fair to say we're also looking for the activity of God in our lives in the expected places. But Bethlehem reminds us that the birthplace of what God is up to in our lives will start with the humble places.

What areas/places are you encountering humility this past year? Maybe you're being humbled. Maybe you're walking next to someone in humility-producing circumstances. Whatever the situation, pay attention to and log the lessons of humility. You'll find God's fingerprints of grace all over them.

Egypt

Egypt had once been a high point for the people of God, but a low point for what seemed a much much longer span. No doubt the Jews remembered the burden of harsh labor for their ancestors. But most memorable may have been Egypt as the time and place of wandering.

I don't know anyone who willingly embraces wandering. But wandering allows us to adjust what we look for, and how we look at the world around us. It's the wilderness God uses to shift our eyesight and learn to spot him around us (remember Moses and the shrub). Jesus knew this, and frequently withdrew to and embraced the wilderness.

Which areas of life have you wandering and wondering? Consider your activity in those places. Personally, I'm prone to trying to fix it. Jesus' life reminds us it can be the place of prayer, provision, and Divine perspective.

Nazareth

Nathanael said it perfectly in John 1: "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?"

We all have a Nazareth or ten, don't we? They're the places we look around and wonder what its purpose could possibly be. For Jesus, it would be the place he was associated with, and the place he'd be rejected in ministry. If you ask me, any place I'm rejected is a place to steer clear of.

Here's the fascinating thing: Jesus spent a majority of his life growing up in obscurity in Nazareth.

Twice Luke tells us in chapter 2 that Jesus grew. Both times, that statement was preceded by mention of his family returning to/going to Nazareth. He lived in and stayed in and returned to the place most of us would steer clear of.

Where in life have you asked: "Can anything good come from there? Is it possible there's a correlation between our willingness to consider places like Nazareth in our lives as valuable, and the growth of Jesus in our hearts? Which places have you taken out of consideration for God to work good?

King in every place

Bethlehem. Egypt. Nazareth. A host of other places.

Jesus, at some point, shows up in every single one of them. Then and now. Why? Because Jesus can make any place his palace.

As we close 2021, mark and reflect the highs and lows. But consider the overlooked places Jesus shows up as well: the humble places, the wilderness places, and the unlikely places.

Not only will it help you reflect more broadly and deeply, but I'm praying it will be an exercise that brings about Luke 2:52 in your heart and in your life:

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature..."

May his wisdom and stature grow in your life going forward!

Until next year,

Nathan