The life of Christ is a powerful reminder of the importance of preparation. Although He was the Son of God, Jesus spent 30 years in quiet preparation before stepping fully into His ministry. If even Jesus needed time to prepare, it’s clear that we too need to invest in preparation to fulfill the purpose for which we were created.

A verse that sums up Jesus’ early years is Luke 2:51-52: “…then he went down with them, and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and with people.”

One striking point in this verse is Jesus’ obedience to His earthly parents. Though He was divine, Jesus humbled Himself and honored His parents through obedience. This shows us the value of humility and the importance of being open to guidance and correction. Are you open to advice and correction, or do you resist others’ input, believing you know best? Jesus’ obedience led to growth in wisdom, stature, and favour.

Wisdom is more than just knowledge; it’s knowing how to apply knowledge in ways that bring value to your life and others. We gain wisdom by learning from our experiences and by observing those of others. Sometimes, God uses these experiences as ingredients in our preparation process, shaping us for what’s ahead. When we submit to this process, we grow in ways that attract favour both with God and with people.

Remember, we are each a work in progress. As Philippians 2:12-13 encourages us: “…continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence; for it is God who is producing in you both the desire and ability to do what pleases Him.” God’s “preparation factory” shapes us daily to become who He intends us to be. The world is waiting to see what God will bring forth in us. Are you allowing God to prepare you, or are you resisting?