07/06/2022
‘Growing Pains’…
Years ago in my capacity of a Children's minister at the time, it was Sunday morning where I was finishing up a class with children and their parents. It was a class to help children who were beginning to ask questions about salvation to attend with their parents in helping foster their child in faith in Christ in partnership with their community of faith.
That Sunday, we were discussing spiritual warfare. I remember saying that we all need to realize that our enemy, satan, comes to steal, kill & destroy (John 10:10). If he can’t have our soul, then his strategy is to neutralize/ disable us. This is why we should always watch & pray so when he comes to try to take us out at the knees, we recognize the spiritual reality & can stand in our faith in Christ. Little did I know, that would be us in a few weeks. A trial of our lives was looming. We were no strangers to intense trials after years on the front lines in the ministry. This one though would shake us to our core. Who we thought we were would be challenged and our Faith tested greater than any other time preceding.
As it goes, we were taken off guard. We knew all the right stuff: the word, the creed, etc. but we were taken out at the knees. It was riveting. The great strip down is what I call it.
Maybe you can relate.
We had to regroup.
Before, we were convinced our faith was rock solid . However, when ‘this’ happened, it was shaky. I have said when my faith was tested by fire - much burned up. I was shocked & felt a bit humiliated. Not only was I shocked by what happened, but certainly alarmed at the condition of my faith. Why I had been a leader on many levels- how could this happen to me?!?
It was sobering to realize that my faith when tested was shown to be tied too many things that it should have never been Biblically in the first place. The fire exposed what I could never see on my own.
I can’t help but be reminded of the disciple, Peter, who’s mouth and ego were bigger than the crowds trying to get at Jesus at any given point. He was the one who was quick to boldly proclaim, ‘Jesus was the Son of the living God’ (Matt. 16:13). He declared he was THE one ‘come what may’ that Jesus could count on. I believe that Peter really believed that too. Nevertheless, when the fire came, ‘Peter -the Great’ was also taken out at the knees. (Luke 22:54-62) Fire burned up most of what his faith was made of too. He felt guilty, exasperated, failure, embarrassment- you name it. The one who really believed he was as solid as it comes, melted in the fire.
Interestingly, what I’ve learned over time, experience, prayer and the Word, this is just God’s grace & his sanctifying work to purify our faith - as refined BY FIRE- & take us to a new spiritual level (1 Peter 1:7). See that is just it- we can’t ‘see’ - our humanity is in the way. Learn- we can’t fully by hearing- as we don’t realize we need what we desperately need. We ‘think’ we have it. As Peter, often we are convinced of it! But then God wants to take us next level. At his time, he allows (not causes) us to get our knees taken out so our eyes and ears are cleared up! I believe it’s painful for him. It certainly is for us. Nevertheless, due to our humanity, there is simply no other way ‘there’.
Many of us at some points in physically growing up, we experienced pain. I remember leg aches, truly awful leg aches. I can still see & feel my mom rubbing my little legs with alcohol to relieve the pain. My body needed to go to the next level & my same body was getting in my way of that. The pain was producing growth.
When Peter messed up royally, I think 1 of the most interesting elements is the next time he encountered Jesus- who had risen from the grave (John 21). Interestingly, Jesus NEVER mentioned Peter’s failure and crisis of faith when he had been tested. He knew Peter ‘got it now’. The wood, hay & stubble from Peter’s life had been exposed & burned up. His faith had been purified, making him fully qualified now to go to the next level of leadership… Jesus wasn’t interested in punishing him. Side-note: His ways are not our ways. Instead, he promoted him. Peter would lead the church and preach the famous sermon where thousands were saved and the church would be empowered by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The ego-filled-Peter couldn’t do that! A new / transformed Peter had to do this!
How can we identify with God’s growing pains?
We all need this supernatural metamorphosis to truly have pure & powerful faith.
Lastly, who do we need to give room to develop and grow - in our homes, church, business, friend groups, etc.?
May we truly follow the example Christ modeled. The religious and the world are eager to judge. Jesus however is patient to help us shed the shell and us walk in new life, understanding, power, wisdom, and anointing. Maybe it's in our life, or the life of another that 'something' has come, a horrific trial. It's painful. Brutal. Let's remember the process that may be happening. It is necessary for us or them to find true life and fulfill our / their earthly calling. Personally, I wouldn't maybe run to the front of the line to experience our 'strip down' again as it was a truly painful experience. I will however absolutely confirm that the purified faith and relationship with Christ, refined purposed and power it created is priceless. Therefore, if that is what it took to that 'good' to embrace this 'great' then what a favor God did us.
I end with the words of the transformed Peter himself:
1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls
Just a perspective reminder.
Thank you, Lord!🙏
