Grow Up


Mat 5:48  "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now 

	live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and 

	graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. 


	We were installing a new computer system and audio recording equipment and 

software. Our purpose in doing this was to produce a recording project right 

away, so we were pressing to get everything up and running as quickly as 

possible. There were many things standing in our way, some of them simple and 

obvious, and some of them beyond our understanding or perception. Everything was 

pretty new to us as we were having to learn a new operating system, a new 

application that was very involved, and then all this digital gear that had to 

be connected just so in order to get a sound that was free of any glitches or 

unusual sounds. Then, there was something else about which there was no 

instruction available to us. Our first experience with the new computer system 

that was supposed to be so "great", was really a bit of a nightmare as the main 

board was faulty and generated problems that prohibited any progress. 


	We had been so excited upon the arrival of all this new equipment, with 

visions of successfully assembling and operating it. In our research of all the 

gear, we had read of all the really cool stuff we would be able to do in 

manipulating the sound waves and our expectations were high. I'm sure that if we 

had done this before and were completely familiar with every little piece of 

gear, things would have progressed much more quickly, but due to our limited 

experience and knowledge, we spent much time on the phone with tech support 

guys. The manuals became our constant companions, as everything that was so 

wonderfully purported wasn't that easily accomplished. Instead of following the 

accelerated time line of our dreams, this project of just getting to the place 

where we could begin recording stretched on for several weeks. Once we finally 

got everything running, the ability to implement of all the software 

capabilities was still a seemingly endless education. The opening of the manuals 

and the memorized dialing of the tech support numbers did become less and less, 

though, as our experience and knowledge matured. We even found ourselves getting 

calls from some other guys looking for help with similar gear. Over time and 

with diligence our limited knowledge and ability with the equipment went from 

requiring a great deal of assistance to rarely ever having to ask for help. We 

were able to actually operate and produce something that was both enjoyable for 

us and helpful to others. 


	We have been born into a new kingdom that has a whole new operating system 

with all these incredibly cool capabilities. There really is no end to what we 

will be able to accomplish on so many different levels. The difficulty with 

functioning in this new system is that there is initially such a need to depend 

on those who can instruct us and help us. There is a dependence on books and 

help guides to bring understanding on how to live this new life of 

righteousness. While this is not necessarily a problem if we begin to function 

independently in the understanding we acquire, it can greatly inhibit our 

ability to actually enjoy our new capabilities if we continually require the 

constant input of other sources. If our whole focus is on maintaining this 

dependent relationship with our "tech" guys, and if we feel we have to always be 

living off the revelation in the manuals, there is never a developed maturity 

that actually produces. 


	To really experience the power of this life we must grow up past the 

limitations of having to be told every move we must make. Abiding in the 

presence of the Lord and continually aware of His nearness, there is a maturity 

of living that begins to require less and less input from other sources. Instead 

of feeling insecure with the understanding we possess, limited by our 

underdeveloped self-image, the image of Christ takes form within us, and we gain 

great confidence in what we already possess in Him. Emboldened by this 

assurance, revelation begins to come to us as needed, and our calls for help 

become less and less frequent. We can even begin to live "graciously toward 

others", with less concern for our own ability to function. For those who are 

still experiencing the challenges of growth, we can be a source of encouragement 

and inspiration. To remain, though, in the early stages of maturity, always 

going elsewhere for direction and never seeming to know how to live on our own, 

we will never be able to actually experience the abundance and freedom of life 

in Christ and the joy of helping others. 


	What a privilege to have access to resources at a level that has never 

before existed. What an honor to be able to receive from those who have been so 

blessed with understanding. What an opportunity there is, though, to actually 

grow ourselves in this life of worship and begin to live the things we have 

learned with confidence and boldness. For every truth that is real there is the 

opportunity to mature in it and really live it beyond the restrictions of 

dependence. Always pressing towards Him alone is the progression of maturity. 

Letting Him be our continually accessed resource will take us to a place of full 

functionality-"perfect and entire, wanting nothing". (James 1:4)




5/8/04