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.
- Ephesians 4:11-13
Periodically, Facebook will automatically generate a post from the “Memories” section at the top of my feed, ensuring that I see an old post from 2, 5, even 10 years ago. And given that a sizable majority of my posts feature family photos, that means the algorithm is usually reminding me of that unavoidable parental reality: my kids are getting older.
Faces once defined by chubby cheeks have thinned. Newborn and 18 month outfits have been donated or stored in the attic. My babies became toddlers, then became kids. And before I know it, they’ll be teenagers. That, as I often remind Lindsey when she despairs at how big they’re getting, is how time works.
Growth is a part of life—as nice as it might seem to remain in one stage of development, you have to progress to the next. And hopefully with age and its accompanying experiences comes maturity as well, growth that is spiritual, emotional, and intellectual, not just physical.
What is true for a person is true for the church too—a body of believers is intended to grow together in faith, in unity, and in knowledge of the Lord. When you worship, serve, evangelize, pray, and read the Bible with your fellow Christians, you are changed by the experience. As individuals and as one body, you mature in your faith together.
There’s a nostalgia that we all feel about certain stages of development, whether we’re looking at family photos or church directories. But even as we remember the good ol’ days with fondness, we can also rejoice at the ways we have grown. You’re more mature today than you were yesterday—and by the grace of God, you’ll be even better tomorrow.
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