By Dr. Julius Sims, Ed.D.; Church Pastor/Teacher
“…his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water…” (Psalm 1:2, 3)
Growing Up
Unconsciously, we (referencing God’s folks) should not quickly fall in love with ourselves by constantly assessing our measures of spiritual growth by only declaring with swelling pride: “what knowledge we now possess”. Additionally, one’s sincere and authentic assessment of their progressing spiritual growth should also include, but not just limited to, “what behaviors I have left behind”. Paul’s epistles speak of moving on, pressing toward, leaving behind, letting go, and disliking the old man.
How old are we? Consequently, growing up in Christ also equates to discarding unfruitful behaviors, racism, animosities, or inferior perspectives. However, the platform for such spiritual growth is not in a vacuum. Spiritual growth requires us “spiritual trees” (i.e., us Christians) be connected to “streams of water” and “the Lord’s instructions” (Psalm. 1). We cannot enjoy progressing spiritual growth on an island of ourselves or by ourselves. Insightful Bible teachers, inspiring Bible preachers, the richness of Christian fellowship, the deep work of the cross, and divinely appointed spiritual fathers are some of the many Kingdom-related prescriptions God have prescribed for His people. The instructions from our heavenly Father along with associating instructions from His father-like-figures (spiritual fathers) in the earth are for our good. However, what The Father has for our good can hurt so badly.
Divine Instructions. Every good and fruitful spiritual tree (once again that is us) is required to ‘grow up’ and not just ‘grow out’. In other words, ‘growing up’ would be attaining measures of maturity and unconditional love; and ‘growing out’ would be becoming weighty in knowledge. We can majestically flourish by the preceding “voice of instruction” from The Father, as well as, a father’s voice of instruction in the earth {i.e., The Father’s voice from His Bible, as well as a spiritual father’s voice in the earth). Moreover, we as redeemed citizens have greatly benefited by the wisdom, kindness, and instructions from our Father, which resides in heaven. Because of His loving efforts to cover the earth with His kindness {Jer. 9:24}, our heavenly Father graciously and strategically plants His Father-like Voice within many of His father-like-figures in His earth. These redeemed and spiritually matured vassals will obey, listen, and act as God’s father-like-figures in His earth. In short, these father-like vassals are those whose hearts are like the heavenly Father we so often read about in The Holy Writ.
As the Hebrew O. T. (Tanakh) will suggest, a heavenly-inspired and “father-like” voice was a tremendous blessing within the ministry of Moses. God awarding Moses with His instructions was the difference in Moses not facing major ministry burnout (Ex. 18). The Holy Writ acknowledges that Jethro was Moses’ “father”-“in”-“law”. Jethro’s relationship to Moses was not a coincident. It was a spiritual relationship, not just the results of Moses’ marriage to Jethro’s daughter. It was God’s divine set up for Moses, packaged with a purpose-driven agenda! Ironically, this position of “father-in-law” assigned to Jethro’s identity provides a little insight of what the Bible is to His people today! That is to say, the Law of God (i.e., Torah) is our heavenly Father’s Voice of Teaching & Instruction found in the O.T. Additionally, God’s Voice of Instructions is also within the real spiritual fathers in the earth today (i.e., the spiritual fathers of today providing wisdom like the O. T. Jethro). Moses heard the instructions of the heavenly Father through the mouth of God’s designated father-like-figure in the earth by the name of Jethro. God so often desires to establish His Instructions in us through His Bible and affirm it by the mouths of His designated spiritual fathers in the earth.
Since our unique and unduplicated finger prints are some of the results of God’s creativity upon us, maybe 2016 can be a year of further becoming that person originally designed by The Master Potter. Striving for equality among the brethren can possibly make one’s personal, God-given dreams and visions feel less important. Do not always fight/argue/demand/compete for acceptance. Bless the Lord that HE has awarded you to be creatively unique and purposeful, and successful in your life by following His will and instructions. Thank God, for His spiritual Jethros in the earth today and the heavenly Father’s voice of instructions within His Bible. Both are for our good and His glory. Amen!
Dr. Julius Sims (Ed.D.) serves as Senior Pastor of the Word of Life Christian Church, located in north St. Louis city. His wife Cathy serves in ministry as well and has a public worship ministry through the expression of dance. Pastor Julius serves as covering for leaders, as well as their sons whose popular mine ministry is called: “Matthew 18:20 Mime Ministry” (Face Book).
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