Craig Clouston

 

Spiritual Puberty

December 22

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!”

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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.”