I know she will shoot me but I had a daughter who had a birthday this past Saturday. Janna turned 35. So yes, that makes me an old man. 🙂
It got me to thinking though. I know there are times people say I don’t act my age (no comments from the peanut gallery), but I’m glad Janna is getting older…and with age comes responsibility and maturity. In other words, she is becoming more of an adult. I have watched her blossom from a baby to a toddler to a gangly Jr. High volleyball player, to a high school student to a college student who decided to pursue children’s ministry of some form. She recently began a new job at Primrose of Reynoldsburg, OH. I am so proud of her maturity and growth (as I am of Tami, our oldest daughter).
I have to confess I would be quite concerned if Janna was still drinking from a bottle. Or asking her parents what clothes to wear (she used to be my fashion police). Or still eating baby food. I would say something was wrong. Big time wrong. What if she didn’t grow up at all? What if she reverted backwards from her adult stage to a baby stage?
There are many who do that spiritually. Having been “Christians” for years they show no growth or desire to grow. Some, having been “Christians” for years, revert backwards as they allow bitterness, revenge, lack of forgiveness, divided loyalties, and a host of other issues become more prominent in their lives. Why don’t we get as alarmed about that as we do when it happens physically?
“Let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…” Heb.6:1
“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” I Cor.14:20
Those are just two Scriptures which show us the importance of growing and becoming an adult in our spiritual lives. It is easy to fall into that trap, of coasting along. Perhaps we need to adopt the slogan we will hear some say: “Be the adult!”
What do you think?
Hi Bill! I am reminded of the passage from St. Paul where he says something like: “When I was a child, I thought like a child…but when I became a man, I put childish thoughts aside.”
Interest in the spiritual life seems to increase as I get older, I hope to put those childish thoughts aside more and more. It does seem that most of my closer friends have faith, or wish they had a deeper one. I like that in someone close to me, we can spur each other on.
I do agree that we should be looking at ourselves as a total package, human and spirit. If you ignore either one, it’s not going to end well.
Thoughtful post!
Ceil
That is the way it is supposed to be Ceil. Unfortunately, there are many who revert backwards. Glad to hear you are “moving forward” and desire a deeper walk.
Excellent comparison, Bill. We need “growth spurts” spiritually just like we do physically!
Thanks Pam. Definitely need them.
I’ve just got to figure out the difference between being childish and childlike. 🙂
Yeah I am accused of having that problem. 🙂
I liked Larry’s comment. I think that sometimes I fall into long stretches of stagnation or regression … then at other times I surprise myself with how far I have come.
We all go through that Daniel. i sometimes wonder what happened (why have I stagnated) and then wonder the other way as well.
If one is in Christ, one will grow.
Because “He will complete the good work that He started.”
It’s like a child. Does the child decide if it wants to grow…or not? The child grows…matures…without giving very much thought to it, really. It’s a part of the growth process.
I happen to be of the mindset that Christian growth happens when we forget about ourselves (then we are free to concentrate on our neighbor’s needs)
Thanks, Bill.
There is something to be said about “being in Christ” Stephen. So many are missing that or are unsure. I do agree with your latter statement also. Thanks for the comment.
I too like Larry’s comment for it hits home with me. Ace is my leveler when I get childish, he was never young. Thinking he might revert when he is 90 some. Good post brother.
We all need someone like that Betty. Jo is my leveler. I know she thinks I am childish sometimes. 🙂
I think a lot of people don’t understand that Christ’s will for us is maturity. We often think of it as legalistic or anti-faith or as self-effort. That leads us to devalue it and think it’s a virtue to avoid it – which is the exact opposite of the truth. Of course, there are others who value maturity so that they can have an easier life or feel better about themselves or earn their way into heaven. And that’s obviously just as wrong. I think half the issue is seeing maturity as Christ sees it.
Totally agree with your thoughts on why people value maturity. Good to hear from you again Loren!