We make better decisions when we inherit priorities rather than manufacture them. In other words, we are more productive when we contribute to a cause larger than ourselves.
Jesus exemplified this principle. As a twelve-year old boy, He asked His parents why they had been searching for Him: “Wist [knew] ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” He asked (Luke 2:49). Because of ambiguity in the Greek text, and to more closely match the context, some English translations say, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (See parallel translations of Luke 2:49 on biblehub.com, italics added.) Either way, His comment conveys an important principle: His priorities were not His own. He was contributing to His Father’s work.
He later said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). And He in turn encouraged us to follow Him: “I am the light; I have set an example for you…. I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:16, 24).
Is it hard to subordinate our goals? It can be, but it can also be empowering. When we recognize that we are contributing to a greater cause, we can focus on doing our part well instead of trying to fix everything. When we inherit priorities from a reliable source, we can avoid some of the painful errors associated with learning by trial and error. And when we and others are aligned with a consistent set of priorities, we can accomplish things together that we would never be able to accomplish separately.
Today, I will remember the Savior’s example of commitment to His Father’s priorities. I will act in support of worthy causes, striving to follow the will of my Father in Heaven.
I recently discovered your blog and found a kindred spirit!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts and insights!
I love this concept of priorities already available to us.
Last year I was studying this same passage and noticed this same thing (even in the same place–Bible hub!) regarding the many translations, other than the KJV, that say that Jesus must be “in His father’s house.” Whereas the KJV says “about His father’s business.”
This is in response to, “How is it that ye sought me?” In other words, why would it take you 3 days to find me? Don’t you know where to look?
You will find me in my father’s house–the TEMPLE!
Also, this equates the temple with His heavenly father’s business.
The family BUSINESS is the work that goes on in temples!
Great comment! Your comment nailed what I was thinking! Thank you!
Thank you, Aaron!
Thank you Paul. Another great post.
To quote the blog post, we can “inherit priorities from a reliable source”. How do we inherit these priorities? Only when we prayerfully seek those priorities from the Lord.
In the temple, we covenant to consecrate our lives to God. If we aren’t seeking God’s daily inspiration to know how He would have us use our time and resources, then how can we claim to be abiding by our covenant of consecration?
Every day is an opportunity to seek this Jesus, by prayerfully petitioning the Lord to reveal His will concerning our daily activities & priorities. Once we know His will, then we must go & do our Father’s business. I love that Christ sets an example that we can follow as we seek to pattern our lives after Him!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think you’re right that consecration is the same as inheriting divine priorities. It might feel like we’re giving something up as we dedicate our time and energy to God, but we’re actually becoming part of something extraordinary.