Spiritual
Puberty
When they saw the courage of Peter and
John…they were astonished and they took note that these men had
been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
Thirteen year old Jeremy was glad today
was Saturday. He didn't hate school, not really. As a matter of
fact, he had a lot of good friends among the Middle School populace,
but he needed a break. The ribbing he’d endured over the last three
weeks was getting old. His given name had been replaced with names
like, ‘Cackle’, ‘Squeaky’, ‘Pitchy’ and ‘Pube’.
Although kids can be cruel, this was just a case of good friends
giving him a hard time as the onset of puberty was becoming apparent.
Jeremy’s father had explained that as
his hormone levels increased, noticeable physical changes would begin
to take place. Among them was the voice-change he was now
experiencing. Jeremy understood that his voice would go from the
high-pitched adolescent tone he was used to, to one of a deeper, more
resonant quality.
Dad had also explained that the change
would take months, possibly even a year or two to complete…a
process Jeremy wasn’t looking forward to.
“Look on the bright side,” his dad
had said with a chuckle, “All the girls will notice!”
†
Just as dramatic and noticeable as the
voice-change of puberty, people notice changes in our actions and
attitudes when we hit our spiritual stride.
However, unlike the physical
transformation from adolescence to adulthood, spiritual puberty is
not a guaranteed event. The acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice does not
insure spiritual maturation; spiritual maturity must be sought and
acquired.
Like Peter and John, we must walk with
Jesus, sharing His life, before there is a noticeable difference in
the way we act and respond to life’s challenges and uncertainty. A
casual relationship didn’t bring the Apostles to the spiritual
maturity with which they changed the world, and it won’t work with
us either.
Admirably, most Christians want to make
a difference for Christ and His Kingdom. However, this level of
commitment requires an intimacy few are prepared to commit to. But
that’s exactly what Jesus wants, for us to strain through the
adolescence, and strive for spiritual maturity.
He never said it would be easy…only
rewarding.
Prayer
“Birth in me a deep
desire to know You, Lord Jesus. Help me commit to the
life-changing relationship You intended us to have. Amen.”
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