NOT YET THERE

2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19; Romans 8:9-25; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 19:26

“And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you…. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children…. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved.”

“The Lord reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

“We’re not there yet.” Ever since I was a little kid, that phrase has both dogged and delighted me. Like probably every child who ever lived, I ritually pestered my folks on the way to Grandma’s or some special event with the ritual question about destination. I remember eagerly anticipating our goal and the joy and fun times that awaited. Actually experiencing them when we finally did get there made subsequent journeys back all the more deliciously frustrating.

Past history can give the future even greater promise. As I grew up and became a contributing member of the family, I looked forward to sitting at the “big peoples’ table.” It was a special thrill the first time I was allowed into that mysterious society at Thanksgiving dinner. (A distant aunt and uncle had to cancel, leaving a chair or two open for my brother and me.) My parents made the mistake of telling us their plans to move us into the “big leagues” before we’d even begun the trip to Grandma’s, and it no doubt was the longest journey of their lives. My childlike enthusiasm was insufferable, I’m sure.

Finally, though, the big day arrived. The family gathered; the meal was served; and I ascended to my designated throne, feeling like the master of all I surveyed. Once I had tucked in well to the meal, I recall sitting back to catch my breath and actually listening to the conversations that surrounded me. My family may as well have been speaking Greek! The discussions were so far over my head there was no way to meaningfully interject. Their joys, issues and concerns were simply outside my ability to comprehend. I wasn’t just uncomfortable; I was downright embarrassed. I had reached my destination but was totally unprepared for it. Feeling foolish and ignored, I did what most kids do in that situation: I tried to speak of adult matters, ended up generating unintended mirth and then threw a tantrum. At least in that selfish moment, I was back in familiar territory. I never really understood why it took another two years for me to get back to the adult table… until today. Funny how perspective impacts understanding, isn’t it?

It’s easy to see I wasn’t ready for my promotion to adult back on that long ago Thanksgiving. I needed to give myself the opportunity to be a child and not ignore the fact that I had not yet gained the maturity or experience necessary to be anything other than a pretender at the adult table. I needed to be patient and simply enjoy the privileges I did have in the family instead of lusting after more.

So I think it is with God’s family. We need to allow ourselves and our Savior the time to turn us into full blown disciples. More than one enthusiastic new convert has joyously thrown himself or herself into Christian service for which they were not prepared only to burn themselves out trying to be something they were never intended to be, or do something they were ill-prepared to do. I personally know several converts who put on a great front and lasted years in the ranks of the godly only to fall away when enthusiasm waned and the spotlight of new spirituality moved onto others. They just didn’t have the depth of relationship necessary to make Christianity a lifestyle instead of an extended fad.

This world is full of deep waters, some of which run fast with hidden currents. Make no mistake: we are called to enter those swells and rescue those who are foundering. But first, we must prepare and be prepared. Otherwise, it is too possible that those we set out to rescue will simply pull us down with them. We may find ourselves confused and lost. There is no disgrace in sitting at the children’s table while we wait for God to grow us in grace. The Holy Spirit is indeed a miracle worker, but we still have to give Christ the time to prepare us instead of charging ahead heedless of the need for spiritual discipline and preparation. Some of us just aren’t there yet. The good news is we do not have to be. Jesus will get us where we need to be when we need to be there. In the interim, it’s still nice to know we are part of a family. We have much to look forward to. Let’s give our enthusiasm and hope the time they need to fully mature into an appreciation of grace and forgiveness that will sustain us for a lifetime. Consider the time spent an investment in ourselves - interest, if you will, on the price Christ already paid to free us from the compulsive need to get ahead of ourselves.