XXV

The 14th of December is my 25th birthday. Or more precisely the 4 year anniversary of my 21st birthday, which is the way Billy Connolly suggests we should look at things.
I remember my 21st party. Late in the term of final year, half the CU showed up and left by 11.30 (I’d like to be able to have a dig at their conservatism but the reality is that they all went to ‘drive by’, a D&B night). I found a photo of myself from then, and it’s bizarre that the man I am now was the young man there.

In essence we’re the same, but we’ve diverged from each other. The things I care about now don’t match what he cared about. He was also a free-er person, but in some senses naïve. He had yet to fall in love – lol. For the most part, when I’m not exasperated at my own weakness as a man, I like who I’m growing up to be, and I like the way God is shaping me. I am excited by the way he is moulding me because I can see where it might take me.
I spent some time with my parents last week, and got to thinking how my mum and dad must feel watching me grow up, and become my own man. I wonder if they feel proud, or are scared, or wish they could make my decisions for me. I think there are things about me that they have directly shaped and influenced of which they can be proud – and I hope I bring a measure of satisfaction that having kids was the right thing to do (my dad was dead set against, in the context of a cold war 70’s).

Watching someone grow who you have a direct influence on must be such a mixed joy. I have been reading Luke’s gospel recently and have been struck by the things that happened as Jesus and John grew up , having children soaked in prophecy from the outset, seeing the purposes of God being worked out in their children – Mary’s reaction being to ‘treasure all these things in her heart'(2:19 and 51) and 'ponder them'.

My challenge to myself and whoever cares to listen is this – who has God out you in a similar position in relation to? Who do you have the privilege of sharing life with, reflecting with, praying into and releasing into ministry? Are you pushing too hard, or are you letting God do what He will do as his good pleasing and perfect will dictates , being content to ‘treasure these things in your heart’ until the right moment? Do your duty for sure, but wait for the sense of God’s timing. It could be thirty years.
Matt