TODAY’S VERSE
Ephesians 4:15
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (ESV)
When I first joined our church, it was in the role of a resident. I originally came to serve here for one year and to learn what full-time ministry looks like. Somehow during that year, I tricked our Georgetown Team into letting me stay as a full-time staff member. On my first day as an actual staff member, I arrived with my Super Mario Bros. lunchbox, ready to take on the world. I was immediately informed by a co-worker that it was probably time for an upgrade since I now had a “real adult job.” (For the record, I still use that Mario lunchbox because there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to lose the “young and fun” side of life.)
In the case of a lunchbox, that’s probably not too big of a deal. But what happens when a refusal to grow up creeps into other areas of our lives? More specifically, what happens when the thing I refuse to give up is much larger and more impactful than a lunchbox?
In the sermon on Sunday, Scott mentioned: “We measure our maturity in comparison to Jesus.” In light of this statement, here’s the reality: Most of us desire to look more like Jesus and grow in our faith, but we don’t do the things that it takes to actually look more like him. We continue to wake up and pursue the same immature things, while expecting different results.
There are many godly men in our church that I look up to. The way they lead themselves, their families, and those around them is admirable. The reason I admire them is because of how much they look like Jesus. Do you know what common thread is among them? Their dedication to spending time with Jesus. This brings up a truth we have to wrestle with: None of us can know and become more like Jesus if we never spend time with Him.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul is calling on them to grow up into Christ. More than attending church on a Sunday, and even more than reading a devotion in 4 minutes, we need to spend time with Jesus. Unless we choose to know Him more by spending time with Him daily, we’re going to continue showing up with the same old lunchbox, never growing up.
APPLICATION
If spending a dedicated time with Jesus is not a part of your normal rhythms, I want to challenge you this week! Apart from reading these devotions, set a timer for 10 minutes and sit with Jesus. Whether in prayer, through reading Scripture, or even sitting and listening to worship music, take 10 dedicated minutes each day this week to sit and be with Jesus.
PRAYER
Jesus, I want to know You more and look more like You. Help me to have the strength to begin new habits that draw me closer to You. Amen.