Maturity

So I went to church today. I chose to go to campus church because I honestly wasn't sure where else to go. A feeling of emptiness creeps in every time I enter a "church" on Sunday morning. So I went and I sat by myself and I wasn't expecting to get anything. They sang a song by Starfield called "Remain". The lyrics can really cause deep thought if we think long enough to realize He never moves one step further from us no matter what is going on good or bad. In darkness or light He remains.

Maturity was the topic and Ephesians 4:14 was the backbone of the discussion.

"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

See starting in verse 14 comes the slap in the face of not going anywhere with your relationship with Christ. If there is no depth you can't tell who's speaking the truth of Christ and who doesn't have a clue what they're talking about.

Verse 15 and 16 were the ones that really started to sink in for me.

"Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

Wow those verses have come alive. More than usual because I mean, c'mon, who hasn't heard the whole speak the truth in love thing...but that doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg. Eat this: "Grow in EVERY way...like Christ." This leaves nothing out. How often do I fall into the trap that I can hide something from Christ??? Um, like every day. Unlike Christ who remains I'm fading and every breath I breathe could be my last. So why do I have this preconceived idea that I don't have to grow every moment to become more like Christ because I have all the time in the world to end up like Him?

Maturity. Doing what should be the desire of your heart even when you're not quite to that point yet.

"As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow..."

Mmk, so as I strive to go deep with Christ inwardly, outwardly I should be doing the same thing with the people I come in contact with every day...so that the ultimate goal is THEIR growth. Hmm, this sure reinforces the whole, it's not about me, deal.

"...so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

A healthy body is something on more than one front that I feel America has lost sight of but for once I'll lay off the whole physical element (for those of you just tuning in I'm gonna be a PE teacher to physical health is debatable point from my view). Can anyone honestly say the body of Christ is healthy AND growing AND full of love?? I think we are seeing plenty of growth in churches...heck we've now coined the word mega churches for the really big ones. But from my personal experiences in a plethora of churches the "healthy" aspect and the "loving" aspect of a church body are lacking...seriously.

So you cynical one over there is saying that if that's the way I see it then go fix it...ok fine. I've been trying to do that through Christ as I worked with youth groups for the past 3 years as an intern and for the past 8 to 9 years as a worship leader and co-worship leader...but I can't fix the world. And I'm sorry but at times even I feel left out or unwanted WITHIN the church.

Through all this jumbled mess of my thoughts may be you've found an ounce of hope for tomorrow...if not try this on for size.

Ephesians 3:14-19

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

I heard a clip of this song while browsing Christian music on iTunes...imagine the power of the Lord. Invisible is what the song speaks to be. That as people look at me they see right through me to the love of Christ. I want to be invisible...that requires DEPTH.

I leave in peace as I have been encouraged through the power of the Word of God that I have a purpose for remaining alive in this world.

> reassured Realist