The sky was gray; a light drizzle was falling, and the water on the lake looked cold as the wind blew across it. I stopped for a few minutes and savored the scene’s beauty. Gray sky, drizzle, and cold water might not sound attractive, but there was beauty to behold.
The water was gray, reflecting the dreary sky above, but it had a subtle appeal all its own. As I watched the waves break on the shore, I was struck by autumn’s deep colors. Tucked in behind some grasses and reeds, a small mud flat was visible. It was the color of a deep, rich cocoa.
The reeds were a deep green and topped with dark seed heads. The grasses were green, turning yellow, then brown. The amaranth heads were turning from vivid red to chocolate.
The clover added subtle shades of purple and white. The thistle added even more purple/ Scattered stinkweed plants added a subtler yellow to highlight the scene. The silvery, green leaves of a willow gently caressed the tops of a clump of grass as it swayed in the breeze.
The waves, the wind rustling the grasses, and the quivering willow leaves combined into a wonderful symphony of nature. The sound was punctuated now and then by the quack of some ducks swimming on the leeward side of the island. It was a perfect accompaniment to the scene my eyes were taking in.
It really was magnificent when I stopped to look and listen. It wasn’t the bright, vibrant beauty of summer or the crisp freshness of spring, but it was stately, subtle, rich and deep.
People are the same way. We have the fresh beauty of young babies, the vibrancy of youth and the richness of maturity. The delineations aren’t clear-cut as we slip from one phase to the next, but they are there.
A similar thing happens when we come to know Christ. There’s the joy of first discovering the love of one who loves you as much as He does. There’s the unabashed vibrancy of newly fired young Christians who are off to save the world and the wonderful, deep, committed faith and ministry of mature Christians.
Few things are sadder to me than seeing a person come to life as a baby Christian, then wither away as a pew warmer not growing in their faith. They seem to view their salvation as the goal not understanding that it’s merely the opening of the door to a wonderful journey. The beauty of their maturing is lost.
Being a Christian is a process. It should never be stagnant. As we know and love the Lord more, we spend more time in His Word and ministering in His name. As we do that, we get to know and love Him more. We are called to maturity.
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ESV
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV
There is an incredible beauty in a deep committed relationship with Jesus Christ. A beauty that grows as the relationship matures. A faith that has been tested and knows God’s steadfast faithfulness is one of the most beautiful things in all of creation.
Until next time, may your relationship with the Living God grow deeper every day.
Be blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
There is an incredible beauty in a relationship with Jesus Christ that grows as it matures. May your relationship with the Living God grow deeper every day.
TAKEAWAY
Salvation isn’t the goal. It’s the opening of the door to a journey.
Being a Christian is a process. It should never be stagnant.
A tested faith is beautiful. That beauty grows as the relationship matures.