Intending to Grow UP?

Intentionally?

"So, what kind of Christian do you want to be?" The question struck me as silly, at first. The more I thought about it, however, the more it made a great deal of sense. Planning is obviously important and valuable and we do it all the time. We plan for retirement, setting aside money, making investments, for the days when we will not be producing income at the same level as we do now. We plan vacations, buy plans for our new deck, plan which road to take to Grandma's house. But many of us make no plans when it comes to spiritual development. "I just let the Spirit lead," we say, excusing ourselves from disciplines of the Spirit that are vitally important!

The Scripture uses a powerful metaphor about those who fail to plan to grow up in Christ. Take a look. "You are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God." (Hebrews 5:11-6:1, NLT) You are like babies! The writer urges us to grow, to get past saying, "I'm sorry, Lord," as we fall into the same sins over and over.

Bev and I raised four children, the youngest now 26 years of age! We loved when they were infants, so cute, so cuddly. We accepted the ton of work that came with having a totally dependent little human that required constant care, that did not respect our need for sleep, that produced stinky diapers, that threw up on my suits. But, we also knew that it was important to help each of our kids mature. Gradually, as they grew physically, we transferred responsibilities to them - "make your bed, get your own shower, put away your stuff." When they were in their teens, I gave them responsibility for managing their own limited finances, including a checking account and a credit card with a small line of credit. We encouraged them to learn to think about the consequences of their actions, even allowing them to make foolish decisions that we knew would produce pain later on. Each of them, at one time or another, resisted maturity! It was easier to be dependent. Now, they are productive people, managing their own lives; each of them a person I am proud to call my son or daughter! Growing up happened without much thought. Becoming mature required a great deal of intentional work.

When we are baby Believers, it is perfectly acceptable to be dealing with simple temptations, to be very dependent on other people, to create messes from time to time in our relationships. God is patient with us while we're growing up. But, He also desires that we learn to live in the Spirit, that we master our emotions, that we know how to say "Yes" to His will, even when it is hard; and "No" to our Self, even when the urge to sin is pulling powerfully at us.

So, what kind of Christian do you want to be?

Believer, are you allowing God to take you through the school of maturity?
Are you cooperating with Him as He teaches you to be a mature Believer who is productive, who knows how to think critically, who serves well at all times?

I want to be a powerful, generous, selfless, peaceful, loving, joyful, patient saint! It won't just happen, but God can make it happen if I let Him father me, discipline me, and lead me. And then it will be said of me, he is an "oak of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:3, NIV) Could there be anything better?
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Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and soul
And mind and strength
To serve the King of kings.

Rise up, O men of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up, and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ,
Tread where His feet have trod;
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

Rise Up, O Men of God
William Walter© Public Domain /