Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Eph 4:15-16 (NIV)

Did you know that the goal for ALL of us is “Grow up?” I love my granddaughters... but I am glad when they move out of the bottle and diaper stages. They are fun as babies but I am thrilled to watch them grow up, get more independent, feed themselves, dress themselves and not need constant care. That’s truth for all of us.

In the Christian life, it isn’t enough just to get in, we have to actually DO SOMETHING once we’re there! What are YOU doing while you’re there? Are you doing anything worthwhile? If you are simply sitting week after week with your mouth open, like a baby bird, then you are missing the whole point of the Christian life. It isn’t about what I can get... it’s really about what I can give!

That is the ultimate test of maturity, isn’t it? Whether we are a giver or a taker. That is the hope of all of us who are parents: that our children will finally grow up to the point that they finally start to give a little rather than just take, take, take! When I was growing up I accused my parents of having children just so they could put us to work. My mom told me that was true. I believed her! I was the oldest and so there were days it really seemed that way...

So, are you a giver or a taker? Is the primary focus of your life ministering or being ministered to? Do you constantly need attention and building up and encouragement or are you the one doing the back patting, looking for ways to encourage others? Do you see the needs and work to meet them or do you see the needs and wonder why they aren’t being met?

The good news is that it IS possible to grow up in your relationship with Christ. It isn’t an age thing, you teenagers can mature in your faith just a rapidly as the oldest person in the Church. In fact, it is often easier for you, that for us “older” folk. You minds are far less cluttered than ours and your hearts are often far more sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. Growing older is not an option. Maturing is something that we must choose to do.

Pastor Ed