Luke 2:52  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (NLT)

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This is the second time Luke mentions Jesus’ growth and development. After the events that occurred when Jesus was presented in the Temple, Luke wrote, 

And the child grew and became strong;
he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. 
(‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

During this time, Jesus grew from a baby into a boy. He became strong. He was filled with wisdom. God’s grace was on him. 

Now, having returned to the Temple as an adolescent becoming a man, he continued to grow in wisdom. He was nearing his adult height. He grew in favor with God. He grew in favor with people. 

I stopped growing up many years ago and started growing out instead. Some wisdom has come my way, usually via the good old-fashioned school of hard knocks. If not for God’s amazing grace, I wouldn’t be here now. Maybe you wonder like me if we would be here at all if God were not so loving and kind. 

As I lean into my annual review, I am capturing a list of lessons I have learned, relearned, or have had reinforced this year. I write down a lesson learned each evening. Collecting these reminds me how God has been directing my steps just as I ask him to each morning. 

I also write down each evening something I am grateful for. Those things that show up again and again help me see what is truly meaningful in my life. They show me God’s goodness, grace, and favor. God showers his goodness on everyone. His grace is more abundant than any need for it we acknowledge. His favor is not reserved for a select few, but for everyone who will receive what he longs to place in our hands. 

My annual review pivots into planning as I set one annual goal and four ninety-day goals. Those ninety-day goals help me turn that one annual goal into a reality. The focus is less on the goal and more on the day-to-day. 

John Maxwell loves to say that “Nothing changes ultimately until we change something we do daily.” So, if you want to write a book, you need to write every day. If you want to master physical fitness for your age and stage of life, you need to schedule time for your workouts and know what exercises you will do each day. You get the picture.

One tip for writing goals, however far in the distance they may reside, is to add a phrase that declares why this is important. For example, I will exercise for at least thirty minutes at least five days per week so that I will have the strength I need to enjoy playing with my grandchildren. 

Motive matters when it comes to goals. 

The more our goals are aligned with God’s purpose for our lives and attuned to the blessings he places in our lives, the more likely we are to become who God wants us to be, and the more likely we are to enjoy helping others do the same. 

What is your one overarching goal for the year ahead?

What are the four ninety-day goals that will get you moving in that direction?

What are the motives that make these goals meaningful and worth pursuing?

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I will live daily the way I want to live ultimately.

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Our Father, fill my heart and mind with your dreams for me. Empower me to attune my heart to your perfect love and align my new habits with your purpose. May my outcomes honor you and serve others. Bless me in my planning and execution so that I can live a life that blesses everyone I meet. Amen.