How many of y'all, either now or when you were younger, have experienced growing pains? Throbbing, literal pain in your legs. I struggled with that as I was growing. Sometimes it would wake me up in the night, and I couldn't go back to sleep. Massaging them would slightly soothe it at times, or I would get up and walk around. The pain was so intense I couldn't do anything until it passed. I doubt I will grow any more. At 18, I'm 5' 2" (or 5' 3" depending on who my nurse is at the Dr. Office.). I am so short, I can sit on a curb and swing my legs, not only that, but I'm always the last person to know when it rains. Okay, bad joke, I know. When we are saved, we are born into the family of God. That thought alone is incredible. But, at that point, we are a new baby Christian. We can't stay that way though. We must grow up. I can't stand it when older kids, teenage boys especially, whine. They throw a fit and cry because they don't get their way. Really?! Grow up already! Someone asked me, "What are you, twelve?". I simply replied, "Yes, on a scale of one to ten." As we age, we should mature physically, mentally, and emotionally otherwise, there's a problem. God created life for growth. If you're not growing, you're wilting. We should also be growing spiritually. You can't be 20 years old and still ride a bike with training wheels... that's just weird. ;) So, why are the years passing by, and you're still acting like a baby?
As we grow, more is expected of us. We gain more responsibility. We are able to stand on our own, without someone helping us. We become stronger. An infant is 100% dependant on it's parents. As we grow, we learn to do things on our own. We make personal decisions, big and small, good and bad. But there comes a point in every persons life where they must choose to grow up. 1 corinthians 13.11, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." We MUST learn to grow up. I, personally, don't want to grow up. I don't want the added pressure, stress, and responsibility of adult life. I'd rather get the benefits of age, while staying a child. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. We must grow. And, as much as I may not enjoy it, I choose to try to grow up. Okay, so, let's say we have decided to go along with this whole 'growing up' thing. You WILL experience growing pains. Uncomfortable experiences that you run across during the process of maturing spiritually. I love surprises. But, I can not usually wait for them, or I would figure them out without even trying. I would usually figure out what I was getting for Christmas before Christmas ever came, simply by overhearining something that was said and putting two and two together. Simply because I have big ears. :) Waiting for Christmas didn’t come easy. It runs in the family, I guess. I learned tricks from the older sibblings on how to figure out what you were getting. Yes, I was bad. Now only that, but my little sister was incredible with guessing what was in them. We would hand our packages to her, she would feel them and shake them, and tell us what she thought it was.... she was usually right - it was incredible. She was a mind-blower. I told you that story, not to reveal how sneaky I was as a child at Christmas-time, or simply for enjoyment for yourself, but to show how impatient I was... or, am. Which goes the same with my future; it's unknown. And I hate that. I fear it. The fear of the future sent shivers down my spine. I hate the fact that I cannot understand it, or see it. I plan things. Along with the fact that, I hate waiting. Patience isn’t my best quality. Yes, I can wait. But, on things like this, I’d rather have everything planned out, in a schedual, with lists.... that’s me. I am a list maker, planner, OCD, organizer. If I could have one 'super power', I would now say that it would be to be able to see into the future. Or, maybe I just need to find a Tardis. One year, when I was hunting, we were walking back to the car, and I kept thinking about how it’s dark, and I can’t tell what is in front of me.. the dim flashlight I was carrying only illuminated a few steps ahead. Then, at that moment, it was like God spoke to me. “Trust me. I know the path. I will enlighten your darkness one step at a time, I will lead you where you are to go. You may not be able to see the whole way, but I will show you what you need to see to make it there. But you must keep your eyes straight ahead, otherwise, you will fall.” WHEN will I know?!!! “God never hurries, there are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves” ~ a.w. tozer. Great author, by the way! I have had to patiently wait. And trust in Him. As much as I wasnt to plan my life, it has a way of surprising me with unexpected things that will make me happier than originally planned. that’s what you call God’s will. I’ve had to understand that my unknown future is safe in the hands of my al-knowing God. And I don’t have to be afraid of missing it, if I am following Him, I can’t. I don’t have to figure it out. He hasn’t hid it from me. The Bible never once said, “figure it out.” but over and over it say’s “trust God.” He’s already got it all figured out. Have to know now?Man say’s “show me and I’ll trust you”, God says,”trust me, and I’ll show you.” Maybe we face the uncomfortable growing pains of having to learn the lessons of trust, or patience. Trials and tests of our faith can be a pain, but in reality, they really are a blessing. They work for us. 11 cor. 4.17 & 18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." rom 8.28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Each lesson is a precious blessing placed into our care. It's always just for blessing ment. And, in love, from Heaven sent. (Ooh, I rhyme.) Or, maybe you are learning to "take your training wheels off"; to take ownership of your relationship with Christ. Whatever you're growing pains are, they will be worth it. The seasons of pain in my life always benefited me in some way. Even when I didn't understand them, or still don't, there's was a purpose for it. My purpose through it is to glorify him. I fail miserably. Daily. But maybe somehow, someway, I can bring honour and glory to Him. In my own life, I am working through many growing pains. Growing up is such a pain! 0_o The only soothing comfort and relief is Christ. The only thing that can comfort the human heart is the One who made it. The only way we can grow is through the help of our Father. Yes, I need Him. Ten years from now, I will need Him. Twenty years from then, I will still need Him. We are His child, and no matter how old we get, we will ALWAYS need Him! You're never too old, too cool, or too mature to hold your Father's hand. As we journey along this road to adult-hood, we need Him all the more. We can't make it alone. There's too much pain involved, too much stress and pressure we will face. But with Him as our guide and comfort, we can do it. Are you with me?
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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