Grow Up

One of the greatest things in my life are my kids. Hannah is 8, Ellie is 7, Aiden is 1, and #4 will be here in March. We went out to dinner as a family the other night and at one point I just watched my kids. I was utterly amazed at them. How beautiful they are, how intelligent they are, how unique they are, and different from each other they are. It's amazing to think back to when they were born and how helpless they were, and now (at least the girls) they can do pretty much whatever they want. We give them quarters and they go play video games. They go up to the buffet and pick out their own pizza. They help feed their little brother. They win these temporary tattoos and put them on all by themselves. My little babies are growing up like crazy.

But they still are babies...they still are young and naive and very impressionable. They remind me of this oak tree that's in my front yard. Yeah, it's an oak and will be an incredibly strong tree when it reaches maturity, but right now it's only about 12 feet tall and the trunk is only 6 inches around. In fact, it's leaves have already begun to turn, and it's not even October yet. Because of its youth, it's more sensitive to its environment and "sways with the wind."

New or young Christians face the same struggles as the young oak tree. Unbelievable potential, but still very impressionable in the here and now. Same goes with our young church. We have unbelievable potential, but we need to be careful now because we're impressionable to changes in our environment. Because of this, more mature Christians have to watch out for the young believers and help them grow...which is exactly what Jesus did with the disciples and Paul did with his churches. As the pastor of Delta, I need to protect my young church and nurture it towards healthy growth.

Where are you? Are you a mature believer or a young believer? Have you been a Christ-follower for a long time, but haven't really matured in your faith? Too often we put age and maturity on equal planes, but just because you have years under your belt doesn't mean that you are mature. I know a number of people who are 50 or older and still act like junior high school students, both emotionally and spiritually.

The only way to really grow is to first just be honest with where you're at. Find someone you respect and loves you, be honest with them, and ask for their help. Submit yourself to God's authority, practice spiritual disciplines, covenant with the community of believers. As Paul says often, you may need to have a diet full of milk right now, but don't ever forget that you are destined to eat steak.

Grace for the journey...

Ryan