When I Grow Up

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

One of the most common questions kids get asked is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

When I was little, my answer changed almost by the hour. Some days I wanted to be an artist, painting lavender lilacs like Mary Cassatt. Other days I dreamed of being a marine biologist (which wouldn’t have worked out well since I have a slight fear of swimming in the ocean). At times I wanted to be an haute couture fashion designer, and other times I dreamed about being an elementary school teacher just so I could grade papers with a bright red pen.

Now, years later, I’m an adult and I do none of those things. God has shifted my path over and over again, and each time I find myself surprised by the twists and turns that somehow lead me to the exact place I’m supposed to be. I’m a grown-up by the world’s definition, but I’m still in the process of growing in grace as I become more like Christ.

The truth is, we never finish growing up as believers, because we are always growing in Christ. We never arrive; we simply keep moving forward, coming to know him more and becoming more like him until we breathe our last.

Yet all too often, we put off living faithfully today, thinking obedience will be easier tomorrow when we are older and wiser. We tally a long list of spiritual hurdles and milestones we want to conquer when we “grow up,” and we miss out on the glorious gift of growing in grace, one small step of obedience at a time.

If I were to take inventory of ways I desire to grow in my faithfulness to Jesus, here’s what my list would include:

• When I grow up, I’ll wake up before the sun rises to feast on God’s Word and settle my soul ahead of the day’s rush.
• When I grow up, I’ll invite my neighbors for a summer barbecue, serving my freshly made tango mint tea, building friendships with them and showing them the unconditional love of Christ.
• When I grow up, I’ll be brave enough to start a neighborhood Bible study. We’ll spread out our picnic blankets on dewy grass at the park and fix our eyes on the Word while our children play.
• When I grow up, I’ll look in the mirror and smile at what I see—a woman made in God’s image, created to reflect his glory. Instead of inspecting every flaw, exposed vein, or wrinkle, I’ll whisper, “Thank you” to Jesus, who understands the limits of an aging human body.
• When I grow up, instead of proclaiming, “Here, I am!” when walking into a room full of people, I’ll see those in front of me and joyfully welcome them with a “There you are” embrace.

No matter how old you are, there’s always more spiritual growth to be done. As you continue to grow up, both in age and in your walk with Christ, you’ll see that growing in grace is the greatest gift of getting older.

Just because we are still growing up in Christ, that doesn’t mean we should put off being faithful to obey the Holy Spirit’s prompting now. Why not say yes to his calling today?

Word before World We keep growing in grace as we seek to be more like Christ and live in obedience to his calling.

Grow in Grace Is there an area of delayed obedience in your life? Is there something God is calling you to that you’ve been putting off? Choose faithfulness today, knowing you’re still growing up in Christ as you grow in grace.