Even at twelve years old, Jesus was, “about His Father’s business” — He knew that His purpose for being here was out of this world! In our society today, it seems like that is a concept that is almost unheard of; to have a specific purpose in life other than living for one’s self. Most children grow up being told that they should pursue their own dreams and ambitions for their life, seeking something called, “success” without really having a very clear understanding of what that word really means or how they are to know that they have achieved it and, after having achieved it, what they are to do with it.
Life is not just about the journey; there is a destination, somewhere the road you are on is heading. Each day, you are not just living, you are also heading in one direction or another. If you are just living for what you can “get out of life” then you will end up very empty and disappointed, for you brought nothing into the world and you will certainly take nothing out when you go! That is one of the reasons so many people who achieve what is considered to be “success” in this life end up so lost and disoriented — their life had no purpose other than achieving whatever it is they have achieved and so, now what?
There is a lesson to be learned from Jesus here: your purpose in life is to be about your heavenly Father’s business. Success is finding God’s will for your life and doing it, not living for yourself, but rather living for the One who created you with a purpose; a destiny. You are destined for great things and that is accomplished by minding the Father’s business!