After I wrote my post yesterday about a silly worship service, I discovered a book, “The Juvenilization of American Christianity.” Author and historian Thomas Bergler claims American churches are full of spiritually immature adults whose faith is self-centered, emotionally driven, theologically ignorant. Bergler says this trend emerged when the ‘fundamentalist’ Christian message of repentance and obedience was morphed into a message of self fulfillment, you might say, a PG-rated version that avoids the ‘mature themes’ of commitment, perseverance, suffering, and sacrifice.
Three decades ago, Oswald Sanders wrote “If I were called on to put my finger on the most pressing need of our age, I would unhesitatingly say—maturity,” his words no less relevant today. In our relaxed, come-as-you-are, do-what-you-want, whatever-works world, we must be careful not to accommodate the culture of ambivalence by giving the impression we don't expect people to grow up.
“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you... You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food” (Heb. 5:12). I wonder what might happen to our Sunday morning attendance if we put out a sign in the foyer that said, “For mature audiences only.”
I suppose many of you won’t know who Andrew Luck is. He is a young man (21) in his third year at Stanford University who emerged as one of the top football players in the nation, leading Stanford to a 12-1 record and a victory in last week’s Orange Bowl. Naturally, everyone expected Andrew Luck to move on to the National Football League where he was sure to gain instant celebrity, a multi-million dollar contract, and millions in commercial endorsements. Some might say Andrew is a lucky guy.
But joining the NFL would mean dropping out of school before obtaining his degree. And the serious Luck would have none of that. Not one to count on luck, Luck was staying in school. And given his intelligent choice, showing foresight, diligence, and good work ethic, I think it is obvious that luck has nothing to do with Andrew's success. This young man’s decision proves his character.
To use another sports metaphor, Andrew Luck has set the bar pretty high—refusing to give in to the you-can-have-it-all-now, immediate gratification value of his generation. And even more refreshing, refusing to be influenced or shaped by his culture. I don’t know if Luck is a Christian, but his decision has the mark of godliness. Speaking of athletes and soldiers in the same vein, Paul says they are those who keep their focus, not distracted by the lure of the culture (2 Tim. 2). And so should be our attitude when short-term happiness threatens our long-term focus—we should all be so ‘lucky.’
The older I get, the more hindsight I have—hindsight being defined as “I wish I knew then what I know now!”
When I was a young man, I was all about being PRODUCTIVE—measurable achievements defined me. I viewed the PROCESS to that goal as a necessary inconvenience. Like a child in the back seat of the car, I just wanted to know “Are we there yet?” Now that I am old—meaning I have less time ahead of me than behind me—I think more about God’s process (what He is doing inside me, and how I am responding to Him) than my accomplishments! I am comfortable being a branch, letting Him produce the fruit. I really believe “The Lord will work out His plans for my life” (Ps. 138:8).
Characteristically, younger people are impatient with “process”—exceeding the speed limit, so they will reach their destination “on time.” Today, it’s all about “speed”! BETTER means FASTER. Unfortunately, younger people approach spiritual progress with this same state of mind—immediate gratification has come home to roost!
Have we forgotten that our Father Abraham waited forty years for God’s promise? And do we really think Joseph’s life was put on hold for 14 ‘useless’ years in prison? And let’s not forget that Moses’ preparation for ministry took 40 years of isolation in the desert. Their achievements must not be viewed apart from their process. How long will your process take? Only God knows.
God had a reason for creating this thing called TIME: He, the Eternal One, uses “time” to build your character—and only then will He use you to accomplish His purposes. Why do you think Paul uses the words endurance and patience so much? Squash plants sprout overnight and grow to maturity within weeks. Great oak trees take years to mature. Don’t be in such a hurry! Evidently, He isn’t!
Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised (Heb. 10:36 NLT).
