How Old are you?

 

This picture has been quite a few years ago. But, it is a five generation picture we took with Stephanie, her mom, our daughter McKenzie, our granddaughter Lauren, and our great granddaughter Everleigh. I have a similar photo (somewhere) of my mom. 

I am so happy that we also have five generations of Jesus followers as well. I have been a follower of Jesus since I was 12 years old. I found Jesus at a summer church camp called Camp Adventure. You would think someone who has lived with the Lord for over fifty years would be really, really mature in their faith. And maybe, compared to most I am more mature. But, I certainly have a long way to go. As I think back about those fifty plus years, I often think about where I should be. If I had been faithful studying scripture, praying, worshipping, and growing, I would be so much older today. 

So, How OLD are you?

No, I am not talking about chronological age, I am talking about Spiritual Age. I haven’t always used my time wisely in building my relationship with the Lord. Maybe that is why I just became a Pastor over the last six years. If I would have answered the call when I first heard it way back in my youth, I would have seen so much more fruit. For my slowness, I ask forgiveness from the Lord and I praise him for his love, grace, mercy, and above all his patience.

Today I was reading the third chapter of 1 Corinthians and reflecting on Paul’s discussion about spiritual maturity.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Spiritual maturity is just like physical maturity. The longer we worship and serve the Lord, the more we desire and crave “solid food.” We drift further and further away from our sinful nature, our petty quarrels within the body, broken relationships, and desire to be like the world. Yes, the process of sanctification” (growing to be more like Christ) moves closer to the objective. But, we never really get there. 

I realize I have a long way to go. Yet,  I love watching the growth occur in me and in the others that I disciple. Those that are in my discipleship groups have grown so much. It is not that I am doing anything but being a vessel for his word. It is Christ that is completing his work in each of those baby Christians. 

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:3-6)

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.” (Philippians 9-10)