Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners;”

JESUS KNEW

Our verse today was quoted by Jesus when John the Baptist’s disciples came to Jesus asking if He was the Messiah. Jesus knew His purpose. He knew exactly why He had come to earth. People may argue at what point in His life He knew, since He was fully human and fully God. I believe He knew all the time. His purpose (sacrificial death for all mankind) was set from His birth (incarnate beginning for all mankind).

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we help our children discover their purpose in life? How can we point them in the direction God has for them? We know their true purpose cannot be revealed until they submit to Him, so that’s our first step. We need to point them daily to the Purpose Giver. Once they have surrendered their will to His Will, God will begin to reveal to them how He wants to use them.

This is when we, as believing parents, need to watch for those signs of the gifts and abilities God is pouring into them. Then we can start directing them towards the fulfillment of the plan God has for them. God gifts us all differently in order to provide all the parts for the kingdom’s work here on earth. Your child has been given, as a believer in Christ, certain gifts that God wants them to exercise for Him. There is no greater joy for a parent than to see their child using those to glorify the Father.

But let me ask you a question too. Are you using your gifts for Him? Have you surrendered your will to His so He can use you? Has the Lord shown you the purpose He has for you? Are you willing to do ANYTHING to fulfill that purpose in your life? You see, your children can learn a lot watching you allow God to use you. As you submit, they will learn to submit, not only to God, but to you too.