Devotions

Got Some Growing up to Do

This will be so hard for you to imagine but during my most obnoxious teenage years I frequently received two admonitions from my parents and teachers.  And they both ended with the word Up. 

• “Shut Up and Grow Up”

My mom would always tell me you got some growing up to do.   It’s amazing that the struggles I had then are still things I find myself struggling with after all these years.  I have learned on rare occasions how to shut up – although it’s hard – but growing up seems elusive.  Because on the way to growing up we all spill our milk, say things we shouldn’t and fail to act our age.  At times we are like a two year old throwing a temper tantrum – at other times we pout like a child who didn’t’ get what he asked for and at other times we have more mood swings than a high school freshman. The process is called growing up and it’s not easy.  The only way to get there is to make some growing up decisions.  Decisions such as – I’m going to get up and go to work today.  I’m going to budget my money.  I’m going to take care of all the responsibilities I have accepted.  And I’m going to make sure my spiritual life and my walk with Christ is where it should be.  The Hebrew writer speaks of this very thing in Hebrews the fifth chapter.

• Hebrews 5:12 – By this time you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk!  Not solid food.

Sometimes the problem is how do we tell if we are grown up.  Does it mean our hair starts to turn gray or white?  I get reminders all the time of my age.   And I agree with whoever said….

• Time is a great Healer – but it is a lousy Beautician

Growing up takes no effort – growing spiritually does.   Are you reading the bible more than you were years ago?  Are you more involved in Church than you were years ago?  Is your prayer life more vibrant that it was years ago.  Do you handle difficult situations better than you did years ago?  If your answer to those simple questions is no – then child of God -  you got some growing up to do?