Childish Things
November 13th, 2008
Scripture:
“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” I Corinthians 13:11
Observation:
I promise I am going somewhere with this. I am sitting at Cups in Clinton this morning as I do my life journal. It is one of those old houses converted into a coffee shop. I am sitting on what used to be the front porch which now is enclosed, but there are still windows to what used to be the front of the house. I am right by one such window. As I am reading through chapter 13, there is a 8 year old boy on the other side of the glass who is desperately trying to get my attention. He started by peeking his head around the side of the window (I see this in my peripheral), then he progressed to a faint whistle. I was determined to pay him no attention, as I was really trying to read for some understanding. He continued by gently (at first) tapping on the glass. I still would not give him my gaze. This caused him to beat on the glass and begin making some sort of alien like noise at an extremely high decibel that I can’t explain to you in written form, which brought rescue for me in the form of an angry mother. About that time, I read verse 11.
I promise I am going somewhere with this. I am sitting at Cups in Clinton this morning as I do my life journal. It is one of those old houses converted into a coffee shop. I am sitting on what used to be the front porch which now is enclosed, but there are still windows to what used to be the front of the house. I am right by one such window. As I am reading through chapter 13, there is a 8 year old boy on the other side of the glass who is desperately trying to get my attention. He started by peeking his head around the side of the window (I see this in my peripheral), then he progressed to a faint whistle. I was determined to pay him no attention, as I was really trying to read for some understanding. He continued by gently (at first) tapping on the glass. I still would not give him my gaze. This caused him to beat on the glass and begin making some sort of alien like noise at an extremely high decibel that I can’t explain to you in written form, which brought rescue for me in the form of an angry mother. About that time, I read verse 11.
Application:
I am trying to image that same scenario with a grown man substituting for my 8 year old friend. It would look absolutely ridiculous. I expect a child to act in such a way, but not a grown man.
I am trying to image that same scenario with a grown man substituting for my 8 year old friend. It would look absolutely ridiculous. I expect a child to act in such a way, but not a grown man.
In the same way, it looks childish to others around me when my actions are selfish and love is not the ultimate goal. It says in verse 1, that if I don’t have love, I am just a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. I am just making creating an annoying noise.
Prayer:
“God help me to always act out of love. Not out of a desire to be noticed or praised. I desire continue to grow in love and get further and further away from the areas where I act like a child. Help me to continue to grow into the man that You desire me to be.
“God help me to always act out of love. Not out of a desire to be noticed or praised. I desire continue to grow in love and get further and further away from the areas where I act like a child. Help me to continue to grow into the man that You desire me to be.
— Jason Elam, worship pastor
