Call Me Daddy
At some point during childhood, most of us transition away from referring to our father as “Daddy,” opting instead for a more mature moniker, something like “Dad.” This change comes as a natural part of our transition from the dependence of childhood to the growing independence of adolescents.
But while we grow up to become more independent and leave home, spiritual maturity happens in exactly that opposite way. Rather than become more independent, the Spirit of God prompts us toward a greater state of dependence.
This was the Apostle Paul’s point when he wrote, “because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6, NLT). "Abba" is a term of intimacy and dependence. It is equivalent in meaning to our English title "Daddy."
God wants us to call Him "Daddy.” That means rather than saying, “It’s ok, Dad, I’ve got this,” the Spirit prompts us to cry out, “I need You, Daddy! He prompts us to say, “I need You in every moment.” He prompts us to say, “I need Your thoughts and Your wisdom to illumine my own.” He prompts us to say, “I need Your love, or else I am nothing.” He prompts us to say, “I need You to always be with me.”
Growing in grace means growing more dependent.
Peter Pan Christians
Wendy, who's fallen in love with Peter Pan, confronts him about his feelings:
"Peter, what are your real feelings?"
"Feelings?" he asks.
"What do you feel? Happiness? Sadness? Jealousy? Anger? Love?"
"Love? I have never heard of it."
"I think you have, Peter. I daresay you've felt it yourself…for something, or someone."
"Never. Even the sound of it offends me."
Wendy reaches for Peter in a loving gesture, and suddenly he runs away, shouting, "Why do you spoil everything? We have fun, don't we? I taught you to fight and to fly. What more could there be?"
"There is so much more," she answers.
"What? What else is there?"
"I don't know. I think it becomes clearer when you grow up."
"Well, I will not grow up! You cannot make me! Go home and grow up. And take your feelings with you."
There are a couple of interesting parallels between Peter Pan and the first-century believers in Corinth. First, like Peter Pan, the Corinthians refused to grow up. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 Paul wrote, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able."
Despite the fact that most of them had been believers for many years at this point, they failed to mature.
What was the cause of their arrested development? Just like Peter Pan, they resisted acting in love. The Apostle Paul, in an effort to jump-start their spiritual lives, points the Corinthians to the "most excellent way," an introductory reference to the famous "Love Chapter," 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.
Love is central to the process of maturity because it causes us to shift our focus from ourselves to others.
What about you? Are you a Peter Pan Christian?
Oxford Students Given Trigger Warnings
Paul Caron, with Caruso School of Law, reports:
"Oxford students studying criminal law have been told they can duck out of lectures if they find the crimes they cover upsetting. Aspiring barristers at the prestigious school now have the option of skipping teaching on “potentially distressing” acts if they do not feel up to it. Lecturers have been told to start providing trigger warnings at the start of potentially upsetting segments so that students can leave."
One has to wonder how well equipped these criminal law students will be for their chosen field, if they can’t even sit through an upsetting lecture.
As much as we might prefer it, we don’t always get the choice to “duck out” of the upsetting events of life. That’s why it’s so important that, instead of running from trials and challenges, we allow ourselves to mature through the testing of our faith.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
Also, God knows that it's through perseverance in the challenges of life that we not only mature and grow, but that we achieve eternal rewards.
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).