Childish

1 Corinthians 13: 11:When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Two Saturdays ago was one of those frozen moments in time. I will remember the picture in my mind until I die. My oldest son Cal was above the line. The line was
54", and marked the maximum height restriction to enter the Chik Fil A playground. He was too big to play. He had grown too much to enjoy the slides and tunnels that his sister and brothers were still playing on, and he had enjoyed since being a toddler. Half of my heart was sad as it was a small yet factual marker of Cal growing up and leaving some of his sheltered innocence as he sprouts upward. The other half of my heart was filled with joy at the opportunities that God will provide Cal to reflect the His Glory as he moves forward into manhood.

Have you ever stopped and examined your spiritual growth? It can be a hard task. There certainly is no physical line with a cow pointing to it saying "you need to get here" that you can simply stand next to. It is a deeper unveiling of the heart and soul that must be done in private, and in stillness before God. Your core affections, your desires, your dreams,what gives you joy, what captivates you,and where your time, money and energy get spent. These are great things to evaluate against the measuring stick of Christ's work and God's word. Where are you on the "spiritual growth chart", if you evaluate not by man's accounting but by God's?

Have you been around a child lately? I have four and can really identify with Paul's logic here. Children want what they want, when they want it. If they do not get it, they cry and complain and get mad at their parents. That defines the first 34 years of my life in relation to God to a T.

If you are struggling through this and feel burdened, I would like to offer some great advice that is the true cure for all ills, and is the stimulus of all healthy growth.

Go hard after Christ with everything you have. Train your body and mind to set aside times where you naturally praise Him for who He is, and not what you want, and learn the beauty of obedience. When you get tired, start all over again with Praise. As we grow in our spiritual walk with Christ, it becomes easier to praise him and truly adore him as he is radiantly beautiful. I believe that is what Paul is saying. Grow up and realize that God is in control of everything and firmly embrace the Lord of Mercy Jesus with white knuckles every day.

The big question for all of us is will we? Have we?