Growing up and going out

A friend (I’ll call him Mark) once relayed a brief exchange of refreshing candor.  Getting his attention in perhaps the most effective way he could, a plain-spoken friend of his shared this observation: “You know, Mark, you’re really into yourself.  And most days, you don’t come out.”  It was helpful truth spoken in love ... and a teaspoon of humor to make the medicine go down.  (Obviously, he spoke also from a healthy storehouse of relational equity!) 

Growing into Christian maturity includes focusing less on ourselves and directing our attention toward others.  The twelfth century French monk, Bernard of Clairvaux, wrote of four ascending degrees of love.  We begin with loving ourselves for our own sake.  Then growth occurs as we love God for our sake ... then love God for God’s sake ... and, finally, loving ourselves [and presumably others] for God’s sake.  None of this is our own doing; all of it is the result of his divine work in us. 

Of course, our spiritual development also evidences itself in knowledge, obedience, faith and grace.  And as we increase in all of these, we bear progressively more fruit for the Kingdom of God.  For people speak when they are heard.  People listen to one who cares.  People trust those who love them.  And people know “real” when they see it. 

So all of our Bible studies, all of our favorite sermons, all of our worship, all of our prayer – they’re not just for our own good.  Rather, God uses these to equip us for work among the people of his affection, the vast “fields” that are “ripe for harvest.” 

So let us look beyond ourselves and go out as we grow up. 

Lord, may all the nourishment you have given to us grow us up in maturity of faith and obedience.  As you have built us up, use us to bear fruit for you, today.  Amen. 

“From [Christ], the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”  Ephesians 4:16

[Click here to see the daily reading in Ephesians 4:14-24.]