We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

(Eph 4:14-15)

When you hear the word “mature” what is the first thing you think of?  Perhaps someone older, wiser, and more experienced than you.  Maybe the opposite comes to mind, someone who is immature, juvenile, or naïve.  There may even be a few people that come to mind when you think about a mature Christian – mentors, friends, loved ones – people whom you consider to have it all together, are mature and a good example of a “grown-up” in Christ.  For me, I think about people who “I want to be when I grow up,” prayer warriors and faithful saints, people who lived and loved like Jesus!

When I think about maturity of faith there is something else that comes to mind for me, a mental picture of growth rings, like those found in the trunk of a tree.  It is a fascinating glimpse at the life story of a particular tree. 

When a tree is cut down the telling of its story begins.  In the cross section of the trunk, you can tell how old the tree is by counting its rings.  But that’s not all the rings can tell you.  In examining the rings closely, you can read a trees life story.  When the rings are far apart, it means the tree had a great year, it grew and flourished.  When the rings are so close together that it is hard to differentiate one ring from another, it was a hard year with little to no growth perhaps due to a drought.  The rings inside also tell other stories, more than growth patterns – but also traumatic events – scars from lightning or fires, or places where someone attempted to cut down the tree, or an infestation that affected its growth.  Much can be learned from looking closely at the tree’s center, its lifeline.   

Isn’t that amazing…something so simple and beautiful as the rings on a tree stump can tell the story about that tree’s life.  Now, think about your own life and your faith story…how similar might you be to a tree?  What story would your growth rings tell? Would they show signs of spiritual thriving and famine? Would they tell of moments of great faith as well as signs of doubt?  Would someone be able to see how you have grown, be able to tell your faith story?  How would you show signs of maturity?

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.

He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

(Eph 4:14-16, MSG)