I always wanted to be 12. Not sure why, the movies went up to adult prices
at 12, and the dollar that used to get me in and buy a Coke and pop corn was now
needed just for admission. Not quite a teenager either, and not quite junior
high either. But for some reason I did, and it came and passed with little or
no fanfare. 13 was different, and meeting Jewish kids in school learned enough
about Bar Mitzvahs that I wanted one, just for the gifts and party. I had no
desire to be Jewish. 17 for Jersey boys meant driving privileges, and I got my
license, then my motorcycle license a year later. Turning 18 we could vote, the
Congress just changed the voting law from 21 to 18, urged on by many chanting
that if they could go to a Congress sponsored war, they should be able to vote.
Still kids many of us, and them, many remained kids as Viet Nam was there final
destination. And along the way learned a bit about social injustice from Janis
Ian and her hit song “At Seventeen,” where she sang “I learned the truth at 17,”
while some heard the words, the rest of us just liked the song.
Somewhere between 18 and 21 adulthood sneaks up on us, and on my 21st
birthday we realized we were no longer kids. But adults, at least in age,
definitely not in maturity. When Neil Sedaka sang how “growing up is hard to
do,” he must have been singing about me. For even today I feel like a kid, have
more energy courtesy of my plastic aorta, and think young. The old farts call
it immature. They’re just jealous. But a funny thing happened at age 21, most
unexpectedly, and definitely not planned, nor in my plans. While running on the
beach in Santa Monica while on vacation, a man told me about Jesus, and my life
changed. And still is changing. I had been faced with career choices, moving
out, then back in, out then in and again, and finally in....and finally out.
Again. But when I became born again a transformation took me over, and still
does to this day. We are expected to become adults, men and women as we grow
up, and even the Bible tells us to leave the foolish things behind. But I
found, and I still find today, that the day I became a man, I really became a
child. The day I became a Christian I became a child of God. With all the
inheritance of an heir, becoming a joint heir with Jesus. And I find being a
child in Christ to be more beneficial than any man I ever had hoped to
become.
To be a child in Jesus I find interesting, because the Bible tells us very
little about Jesus as a child. He ministered for only 3 years, after 30, the
age that priests begin, but lived a full life, with a career up until that
point. We are told to come to him as little children, yet we are given very
little background to go on. And so I find I must rely upon his spirit to guide
me. To remind me I am a child of God, but also to man-up when needed. And much
of it has to do with my attitude. The day I was saved God opened my eyes to the
holy spirit, and I began to see things differently. At each age we are expected
to act or behave a certain way, now I was an adult according to society and the
government, but a child in God. Of God. And all the burdens started to fall
away. I found that as a child, I had depended on my father, now I knew my
heavenly father who would take care of me. An adult in life, a child in
afterlife. I learned that at any age, and in all situations he would listen and
forgive me, and love me tenderly. Just as Elvis sang, and never let me go. He
would discipline me to keep me safe, and advise me, but still all decisions were
still mine to make. A unique dichotomy of child and adult...one you can only be
in Jesus. And only when you live in the spirit.
I found that God wants us have fun, to be happy, he calls them blessings.
And many religious types get upset with you. It seems the shortest verse in the
scriptures, “Jesus wept” is their mantra, and aren’t happy unless you are
unhappy. But having the spirit of God, I also have the fruit of the spirit,
which includes joy. Way beyond happiness, it is the presence of God when
situations would make him seem absent. So we can laugh and cry at funerals, at
weddings, and even at church. Freedom of living in the spirit, being the child
God lets you be, and allowing yourself to be. And for 40 years now I have been
a child. Adulthood was a phase, being a child of God lasts forever.
So next time the enemy comes knocking, turn to your father in heaven and
say “it’s for you.” Let him handle it. Turn to Jesus and be the kid you can
be. Without burdens, without boundaries. Which opens up doors that being an
adult closes. Like last week at the water slide park, talking with a 10 year
old in front of me, telling me how to ride down it, and then asking “do you want
to go with me?” By the way, I was the oldest person in line by 45 years, but I
prefer to think of myself as the biggest kid. Grow in Jesus doesn’t mean you
have to grow old. Or even grow up, just grow in him. And find freedom and joy
you never knew before. Works in line with kids, now if it would only work in
church. Or at least among the other so-called religious. If only they knew the
freedom I have...
We are not all God’s children, it is reserved only for those who accept
Jesus. Who turn to him and recognize his deity. Become born again. No matter
your age, you too can become a child of God. And become a kid again. Mature in
the Lord, but not in years. My full face hides my grey beard to the younger
riders trying to shake me, I laugh. I find younger kids talking to me when
waiting in line to go down the slide, and it all opens up conversation to share
my Jesus. Expand your ministry today by becoming the child God wants you to be.
Don’t let anyone rob you of your joy. The word maturity means growing to the
point you cannot any more, and then dying. At my maturity rate I should live
forever. Funny, that’s just what Jesus promised, forever life in him. Be that
child today, and keep smiling. It makes others suspicious, and maybe gives you
a reason to explain why. Or really who. Growing in grace, and growing in the
Lord mean different things to those living in the spirit. For where his spirit
is there is liberty. A renewing of the mind. Trust Jesus today and find out
how much fun it is to be a kid. And being a Christian should be fun. What good
is fun if we don’t enjoy it? Maybe a whole different way to look at Jesus,
adding fun to the relationship. God bless the child...may the only growth you
experience be in him. After all, who wants to be a grumpy adult when you can be
a happy kid?
Amen.
love with compassion,
Mike
,atthew25biker.blogspot.com