Made in His Image

I came across this neat row of cement Mickey Mouses, all made in the image of the iconic rodent. I then thought to myself, God made us in his image, but unlike Mickey, we’re not all the same.  We don’t look, think, react or even mature at the same time.  Ask any parent to compare the development of their children, and while there are some similarities, each one is different.  Consult with a teacher, and he or she will tell you that every kid in class has their own way of learning, either visual, hands on, or audible, and their own timetable.  So why is it then, that we like to think that people are supposed to reach spiritual, developmental milestones at certain ages?

 There is no ideal time to be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit or to start operating in the gifts of the spirit. Do all children walk at 12 months? Of course not!  Should we be alarmed when a child isn’t toilet trained at age 2?  Exasperated maybe, but not alarmed.  Just like we have our own unique growth and development patterns, so too God has designed when and how we come into relationship with him.  The mind and body work together as a child matures.  Weak legs strengthen before one walks.  Babies listen to words and repeat what they hear.  A parent can’t force walking or talking on a child, any more than they can impose a personal relationship with God.  Accepting God involves using all our faculties, and that’s the way he wants it.  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37.

Concrete statues may look cute in the garden, but they are useless in the Kingdom of God.  God continues to teach, equip and mature us, regardless of our age. “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13.   Sadly, some children never fully develop, and there are those who are slow or never accept God into their lives, but that doesn’t mean He has given up on anyone. ”The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9.  He’s holding out his welcoming arms, waiting for you to fully mature and run, not walk, into them.