Don’t Grow-up!

By Peter Crause

1Sa 15:17 And Samuel said, “When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel? “

The life and earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus indicated forever His attitude and concern towards children.

- He gave dire warnings to those who offended children and kept them from coming to Him

- He told the Apostle Peter once to feed His lambs (young ones) and twice to feed His sheep (oldsters) – He had first concern for the lambs.

- He said that unless we became a “little children” we wouldn’t enter His Kingdom

What is it about a child that the Lord places “high value” on? Surely “childishness” is not what we should be? Aren’t we encouraged to “grow up”?

What are some characteristics of a child?

- Dependence on elders and parents.

- Doesn’t question parental guidance (this changes when the teen years are reached)

- Believes everything he or she is told.

- Doesn’t have a care in the world; since mom and dad will take care of everything.

- Doesn’t “know-it-all” and is still excited about learning.

- Enjoys the simple things of life and is generally un-demanding.

- Is excited about simple things and avoids complicated situations.

- Sees a rosy and exciting future.

- Lives one day at a time.

What happened? How come all this has changed?

WE GREW UP!

What happens when we “grow up” and become adults?

- Independence! We no longer depend on elders and parents; start “going it alone”; leave the “nest” and rely on our own judgment.

- We begin questioning everything we see and hear; establishing our own identity.

- We doubt and even disbelieve everything we are told – until proven to us.

- We become burdened with the “cares of the world”; carrying crushing loads since we no longer have someone to “take care of it”.

- We become “know-it-alls”; un-teachable and self-willed.

- The simple things of life bore us and we seek ever more exotic experiences and situations.

- We see a dire future filled with toil and heartache.

- We live either in the past or the future or both; paralyzing our lives.

Many of these things come with maturing and cannot be avoided; however there is one thing that rears its ugly head in this process – that of self-exaltation. The independence we attain is all due to our attitude that “we are the best” and that no one is a good as we are. Our whole society is based on “selling yourself” to climb the ladder of success. This is the one thing that needs to be avoided and worked against in our development. If we could remain “childlike”; with the above characteristics we would be of far more use to the Kingdom of God than developing and nurturing the “adulthood” characteristics.

Our scripture reference is about what had happened to King Saul. When he was chosen to be king, he hid in humility and fear. But somehow “he grew up” and thought “more highly of himself than he should have”. He had developed into a person who was “big in his own eyes”. He started doing things contrary to the Word of the Lord. He became disobedient and self-willed; to the point of intruding into the priestly office to which he had never been called. Everything about him “smelled” of self! In truth he had been chosen and anointed as king over Israel – while he was “small in his own eyes” – while he was “childlike” and dependant on God – while he was humble and teachable – while he knew nothing and constantly went to the prophet of God for guidance. But now he had some experience “under the belt”; he knew or thought he knew what the Lord wanted – without consulting first. Why, he even spared the best of the animals and Agag the Hittite when he had been told to utterly destroy this enemy of Israel. Surely God would want the best for an offering? He was told that God wanted obedience rather than sacrifice. What danger there is in growing up! Instead of remaining dependant and humble before the Lord; he became independent and proud – big in his own self-estimation. This led to his rejection as king.

Dear ones today; never grow up! At least never grow up with these despicable traits. Always remain humble and dependant on the Lord. You can NEVER be too small for the Lord to use; but you can be TOO BIG!

I have found too much “education” makes for “big-heads” – even Bible education. So many of our students that emerge from Bible Institutions and Seminaries never achieve anything of value in the Kingdom of God – because they “know-it-all” and have become un-teachable and big in their own eyes. When we’re small in our own eyes and acknowledge that apart from the working of God’s Holy Spirit within and through us we can and do achieve nothing of value; the Lord can use us mightily for His glory.

Jesus said: “Without me you can do nothing.”

Want to do something for Jesus? You have the answer – don’t grow up! If you have already grown up; become as a child once again and start really achieving something!