By Pastor Don Schatz

Always Growing

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud Link.

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity,”
Hebrews 6:1  New International Version

I did graduate work in Adult Education and Development years ago.  It was long enough ago that the term “Lifelong Learner” was fairly new.  I still buy books and research things that one could ask, “Why?”  Because I love to learn.  I bet you do as well.

Christianity is all about lifelong learning.  The Scriptures are ever new.  We are ever changing.  To that we give old Heraclitus some props.  Yup, you might have to look up that one!  Lifelong learning, after all.  Each time we open the Scriptures, we are different than the time before.  Life has happened.  Even if it is only an hour!  We process what happens to us, efficiently or not, effectively or not, completely or not.  To the extent that we are a different river (hint, Heraclitus), the Scriptures speak to us as we are now, who we are now, where we are now.

I want to encourage you to keep on growing spiritually.  Don’t be satisfied with where you are now.  “Move on” to maturity in Christ.  The Holy Spirit will guide you.  He is all about leaving the elementary things and moving us on toward Graduate School Spiritual maturity.

Warning–here is an instant of a head-spinning segue without a segue for which I am famous.  Hang in there.  Years ago I turned a barren corner of our backyard into an infant hosta bed.  At some point, my wife planted a  dwarf Japanese yellow maple in the bed as well.  Today, the hosta bed has reached maturity in a few ways.  One, the plants have all grown.  They take up the space.  Two, the tree really complements the hostas.  Three, the mature bed, the intimate pairing with the tree and the fabric of colors is aesthetically pleasing to me.

How much more, as Jesus often says in the Gospels, are we pleasing to God as we mature in Christ!  Today, if you are up for it, use a Bible with cross references.  Start with Hebrews 6:1.  See where the Spirit takes you in the Scriptures.  Always growing.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado