Day 21: (un)Crooked

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Luke 2:40

We’ve got 4 teenagers right now, and two more within the next 2 years. We put a great deal of energy into raising our children of course, and it’s interesting to see the unique personalities and talents and giftings that emerge in each of our children. 

When they were young, our focus was on meeting all of their basic needs, as well as trying to instill in them the good virtues and disciplines necessary for a good and godly life. 

We fail our children in so many ways, and it becomes evident as they grow up into more autonomous people. We see some  reflected version of our own brokenness alongside the beauty. I’m quite proud of my children, but I can also see that they are cursed by sin, just like me. 

We are crooked, and we grow in crooked ways. A training in godliness will help straighten the curves, but the curves are evident even with all of the energy exerted in the process. We fight a battle against nature, our sinful nature. What a wonder to imagine the boy Jesus, growing as God intended! Growing in godliness, in wisdom, in spiritual vitality and strength, in relationship to others, all in a perfectly un-crooked way.

I think we all desire growth. We want to be better, more mature, more godly versions of our current selves. The hope of the eternal kingdom beats strong in the heart in this regard. Whether we think of it as more of a reset or a redeemed continuation, we will one day soon be unbound from our crookedness. We will be made straight; free to grow unconstrained, uncontaminated. Oh to grow unfettered and free of fear! We will be like Christ, growing in wisdom, in spiritual vitality, in untainted knowledge of our Father. An advent prayer; Come quickly Lord Jesus.