Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday November 17, 2005

Pastors have the privilege of becoming chroniclers of the passing scene and also participating in life, often to its fullest. My good friend, Pastor Steve Goens sent a copy of his monthly paper to me and strangely it contained something I could use. He uses a quote on page 4 that conveys the idea that the good preacher has become a student of the human condition and an astute one at that.

The quote is one that could easily be overlooked, but one that is worth a ponder or two:

"Youth may pass away, but immaturity can last forever."

That this statement is true is one of the reasons the Apostle Peter instructed new Christians to 'desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.' One of the purposes of personal growth is that we join Paul and put away childish things. I take if from Paul's context that childish things involve a childish, selfish, even petty response to the realties of life.

It is only through growth that we can learn to be victorious in the Christian life.

It is observable that many folks do not have a clue that naming the name of Christ implies that we are experiencing normal growth which in eternity will result with our being like Him, this process beginning at conversion and progressing along the path of life.

Carl Sandburg tells of a man walking through his little town and inquiring, "Any great men born here?" Sandburg's father responded, "Nope, just babies." It's true, babies can grow into greatness, or sadly remain babies for their entire earthly life. Puppies are the same way. Max, is the kind of adorable canine which will remain a puppy all the days of his life. This is cute with puppies, it is tragic with people.

Most of us have witnessed the scene in a restaurant where the grown child, in his or her forties make a scene because the coffee was lukewarm, or the hamburger was not cooked to perfection and the offended party give the server down the road. I have watched as a waitress began to cry over the tirade coming at her from a professional man. I will not divulge the profession. Cold coffee or a burned hamburger is usually the cooks fault, but usually the cook is a 300 pound man with a clever in his hand, so the rules of childish tantrums dictate that the full fury be directed at the 85 pound waitress. Years ago I do recall a man giving a petite waitress a really hard time over a cup of hot chocolate. Do you know what two Exlax do to hot chocolate? He found out!! I have never given said waitress even a dirty look concerning food or drink. I outgrew such behavior in a hurry.

You get the idea, Joan Rivers in spite of all of her… had it when she gave the caustic advice, "Oh, grow up." All Christians will do well to continue along a path of growing to maturity in the things of Christ, said things impacting our life and making a positive impact on those we live and work around.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2005 Use with credit.

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