Devotions this week based on Come Home Week 5 – PURPOSE (WATCH HERE)
Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
A new year often arrives with high expectations. We tell ourselves that this year will be different. We resolve to be more disciplined, more focused, more faithful. While intention is good, it can quietly turn into pressure. Growth becomes something we must achieve rather than something God nurtures.
Luke’s brief description of Jesus’ early life offers a gentler and truer picture of growth. Jesus grew in strength and wisdom, and God’s grace was upon Him. Growth was not rushed. It unfolded over time, under the care and favor of God. That matters because it reminds us that growth is not about instant transformation, but faithful formation.
God cares about our whole lives: body, mind, and spirit. Scripture affirms that our physical well-being matters, that wisdom is worth pursuing, and that spiritual growth is essential. Yet none of these are meant to become burdens we carry alone. Growth flows from grace, not guilt.
As you begin this year, it may be helpful to shift the question. Instead of asking, “What do I need to fix?” ask, “How is God inviting me to grow?” Growth often begins with small, ordinary practices: consistent prayer, regular worship, time in Scripture, learning something new, caring for your body, seeking rest. These are not ways to earn God’s approval; they are ways to receive His ongoing care.
It is also important to remember that growth is rarely linear. There will be seasons of clarity and seasons of struggle. God’s grace is present in both. A new year is not a demand for perfection; it is an invitation to trust that God is still at work in you.
Begin this year not with anxiety about who you should become, but with confidence in whose you already are. God is faithful to complete what He has begun.
Reflection:
Which area of my life needs intentional care this year?
What small, sustainable step can I take toward growth this week?
Prayer:
Gracious God, as this new year begins, lead me in paths of faithful growth. Help me care for my body, renew my mind, and deepen my trust in You. Shape me by Your grace, one day at a time. Amen.