When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11
It is late spring as I write, and nature has woken up and begun its annual cycle of growth once again. There is the beauty of the flowers and wonderful colours of new growth in the trees, but there is a messiness running alongside all the beauty. The spotted gum outside my home is bursting out of its bark and making a big mess as great chunks of dry bark land all over the gardens and the porch. The branches look like they have a very bad case of peeling sunburn – not very attractive, but very much a part of the process of growth.
For us growing up is often a messy business. If you remember your teen years you can attest to that. If you have a teenager in your home you will most likely understand what I’m saying! Actually growing up as a Christian can be just as messy. Paul says this in Ephesians 4:15 "speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
We should grow up; we must grow up, painful and messy though it may be. You may think that this is a rather obvious statement but it is my observation that sometimes we don’t want to grow up in certain areas because it will mean that we have to deal with things we don’t want to. It means facing the fact that life is not plain sailing; that bad things do happen to good people; that marriage takes work and commitment once the honeymoon is over; that children are a blessing from the Lord but that they can cause you much frustration heartache along the way.
Growing up means that we face the difficulties and challenges with faith and courage, knowing that God has promised he will give us strength that is sufficient for everything we encounter in life’s journey. It means that we don’t run way from the hard things, or decide to take the ‘easy’ way out – which is never the easy way in reality. It means that we decide to do things God’s way, not our way, even if it causes us some pain during the process.
It also means loving people enough to allow them to make mistakes and then come alongside and help them through their mess rather than giving up on them…….. just like Jesus does with us! I read or heard something recently that struck a chord with me. It said that bones grow strong with stress. Weight bearing exercise strengthens bones. In the same way, our troubles and trials can make us strong – if we will face them rather than avoid them. (Look at James 1:2-4)
What difficulties are you facing in your life right now? Are you able to look at them as an opportunity to grow up in Christ through them? If you are, you will be rewarded with a new level of maturity and peace.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please help me to see my trials as an opportunity for growth. Please strengthen me to face it and walk through the darkness with you and into the light. Amen
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