"We must always be 'growing in Christ'". What do Christians mean by this expression? Is it a feeling of closeness that grows on you in the same way that a love for Tai Noodles "grows on you"? "Boy, those Thai Noodles are really growing on me"! What is Christian growth? Is it an increased knowledge of the Bible and doctrines? "Wow! His mind is really growing"! Is there something in the life of a Christian that will show us that he is growing? Can we say that the more a christian grows, the longer he will spend in devotions everyday, or the more comunity service he will do, or the more offering he will give out of his paycheck? All of these things are not Christian growth.
Christian growth is like a group of crazy backpackers who pitched their tent a the base of Bob's bald Friday night even though the forecast was cold and rainy! Sabbath morning was spent in the tents reading an issue of Adventist Affirm. But as Sabbath afternoon came along, these crazy backpackers decided that they were not content with their current position, and decided that they wanted something more. So, with all of the necessary safety gear including flimsy ponchos and a hefty supply of GORP and Granola bars, the crazy bakcpackers began to hike through a forest that had been turned into a surreal landscape by the heavy fog that blew among the huge trunks of the hardwood forest. Stepping onto the trailhead, the obvious risk of hypothermia was noted as a shower of cold raindrops began to fall with a steady spattering on the flimsy ponchos. However, the bakcpackers refused to stay in their dry tents and be content with a mediocre experience, but rather, they chose to press on towards an excellent experience. What the experience might be they didn't know, but that it would be a superb one was sure! As the backpackers began to arduously ascend the steep wooded trail to Bob's bald, the risk of hypothermia vanished behind them in the same way that the trail vanished into the mist behind them. "Are you cold"? was the question. "No." was the reply. "I'm climbing a mountain right now, how can I be cold." As the crazy backpackers paused from time to time to rest, they were reminded of their need to keep moving! Anytime that the backpackers stopped to gaze at a beautiful trillium or admire the cloud enveloped forest, they would quickly be reminded that rain is cold and water is wet and that they must continue to press onward.
4 comments:
I think you've really nailed it. Thanks for sharing this thought. Hopefully we can be reminded to keep moving even when warmth and comfort is the threat rather than cold rain.
Good point about the warmth and comfort which is the real threat! There are stories of people freezing to death in blizzards because they felt warm. They were actually so cold that they thought they were warm. They drifted off to sleep thinking that they were nice and toasty but they never woke up!
I was in a hurry when I posted this and I was going to write about what the application of the crazy backpackers is, but I think that the application is clear. Maybe if I don't interpret it some extra applications can be made! `:)
Go! is the connecting piece in the gospel. "Neither do I condemn you, GO, and sin no more."
Also that amazing grape juice turned into grape juice in the act of obeying the Master... Our spiritual satisfaction and growth occur as we impliment obedience to our Saviors commands.
- thoughts from campmeeting
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