Do You Want to Grow Up? An Invitation to Christian Maturity

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:11

I distinctly remember one of the first times I wanted to grow up. My family was visiting Disneyland, and we were going to ride on the Matterhorn bobsleds. But, as it turned out, I was too young to go on the ride. Back then, a rider had to be at least three years old, so I must have been somewhere in my twos. I remember feeling disappointed and yearning for the day when I would be old enough to ride on the Matterhorn.

Ironically, as I felt this burning desire to grow up, I was only steps away from the ride known as Peter Pan's Flight. Disneyland guests of any age were welcome to ride in little boats that flew through scenes based on Disney's film version of the Peter Pan story. We would be like Peter Pan himself, the boy who sang proudly in Disney's movie, "I won't grow up. Not a penny will I pinch. I will never grow a mustache, Or a fraction of an inch. 'Cause growing up is awfuller Than all the awful things that ever were. I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up, No sir, Not I, Not me, So there!"

When it comes to your faith, are you more like the two-year-old Mark who wants to grow up so as to ride on the Matterhorn? Or are you like Peter Pan, who embraces his apparently eternal immaturity with vigor? Do you want to grow up in Christ?

If you're like me, you are probably quick to answer this last question in the affirmative. Of course, you want to grow up in your faith. Yet, I wonder, does this desire guide your life? Are you actively living so as to become mature as a disciple of Jesus Christ? And do you understand what Christian maturity really is and how you might attain it?

Today and in the days ahead, we're going to examine one of the most important biblical passages that teaches us how to grow up as Christians. To be sure, there is more about this subject in Scripture than we'll find in Ephesians 4:11-16. But this passage paints an absolutely essential and often surprising picture of maturity, one that will both inspire you and challenge you.

For now, I would invite you to read Ephesians 4:11-16 several times. Look for ways this passage talks about growing up in Christ. Pay attention to what is emphasized. Take note of what you don't understand. Begin to pray through this passage by asking God to give you clarity about what it means for you to grow up in Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What memories do you have of wanting to grow up when you were a child? Do you want to grow up in your faith, really? What evidence is there in your life for this desire? What do you see about growing up in Ephesians 4:11-16?

PRAYER: Gracious God, thank you for the opportunity and the challenge to grow up in you. Please teach me what this means. Help me to see how I might participate in the process of growing up as a Christian. Increase my desire to be mature in you. Spur me on by your Spirit to do those things that will help me grow up. Amen.

Image courtesy of Laity Lodge Youth Camp, one of our sister programs in the Foundations for Laity Renewal.