Let Go To Grow

Hebrews 6:1-3

    1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3And this will we do, if God permit.

In life, we all go through certain phases to become who we are - and in the case of our youth, aspire to become. When we were babies, we relied on mom, dad, grandparent, or responsible adult for all of our needs - food, drink, a clean diaper, or to be held. Someone did that; otherwise, we'd cry and perhaps feel unloved. As children, we learn to verbalize our wants although our parents have occasionally regretted that particular decision. We were also able to feed ourselves, dress ourselves (some of us had color issues - we didn't always match perfectly), and even start playing with other kids! Would you feel like a big kid if you still had a breast to suckle at nine years ago? No, you would not, and I'm pretty certain teeth and nipples do not work well together. Even in our teens and early twenties, we were afforded more opportunities to show we were becoming adults through our choices and body changes. You would think something is amiss if you a six-foot tall seventeen year old attached to the hip, being carried because he or she never learned to walk and having his/her diaper changed since you never bothered to potty train. 

This is how the world views us as Christians if you never adapt. Many people are physically dragged into church every Sunday as children, and therefore learn in effect "how to play church" because they did not wish to be there. As a result, the world can tell if our lives match up to our words and actions. Rewind to Hebrews 5:11-14. Many of us have heard the same words uttered from different pastors, ministers, lay people, deacons, teachers, etc. over the years to the point we can ignore it even if the Word strikes us upside the head. During the days when we are supposed to teach the principles to the next generation, we fail despite having the lessons repeated and rehashed over and over! From personal experiences and later frustration, students entered high school so unprepared that to catch them up, several teachers either would spend weeks on concepts the students should have grasped firmly or simply pass them along as some one's problem. In some cases, I'd encounter kids who couldn't tell the difference between an noun and a verb! I knew someone had dropped the ball, yet I couldn't blame anyone else if I let the student transition.

Hebrews 5:13 explicitly lays out the blame [For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe] on those of us who know better, but won't do better. In verse 1, we saw the miracles within our own lives, were taught by the best, know that our time as children is limited. Contrary to what Jay Z told us, thirty is not the new twenty; it's the same ol' thirty. At twenty years old, I saw the Hot Boys - Juvenile, Lil' Wayne, BG, and Turk - and while I admit it was an unreal concert, there is no way you could tell me I was grown if you see me in that crowd now at thirty-five. Not only would I be the old man at the show, but it would be odd attending the after party with fans half my age! Let go to grow. Verse 2 takes us back to an earlier era of when we initially accepted Christ as children and had to walk down that long aisle in the middle of the church to that set of chairs the two deacons stood behind as the pastor implored the congregation to come to Jesus. Having that basic belief in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose three days later as a fulfillment of His prophecy is absolutely critical; consequently, if we've not grown past that, we're still babies. The water doesn't save you; it is an outward showing of what we've become. Saying that Bryant Utilities or the Saline River water saves you, impurities and all is a fallacy. Let go to grow. All we have to do is let go to grow. Once we release our childish manners and embrace a more mature fashion, we will notice a growth - one of discernment; one of sacrifice; one of a calmer spirit; one of fulfilled prayers greater than anticipated; one to share as witnesses the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ; and most importantly, a growth from within that your neighbor sees. That example set is often enough for them to take notice at what we're doing. Just by "being good" as kids is appreciated - and expected - God expects us to grow. I know it is adorable for 'grown folks' to watch the kids' choir sing "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus", yet if we ourselves aren't matured beyond that mentality of an innocent look, then we need to let go and grow. 

We're right here, many as babies, some as infants, some as preteens, some as teenagers and young adults, and even a few of us have even matured to gourmet steaks and lobster tails. Our lives are a process of letting go to grow. How can you enjoy a porterhouse steak with baby teeth? You're not ready for that meat at one time. Until our permanent teeth show up, enjoy that McDonald's hamburger Happy Meal that comes with the toy and chocolate chip cookie that fits your tastes and abilities. Eventually, we grow up to enjoy more than fast food and sample sophistication. For some people, growing up seems gross. What is wrong with being a grown up who knows better AND having survived our childish ways? You don't know the half of it. Let go to grow.