The Title First

David Jones, the leader of the Training Center for Church Planting, is a fountain of depth from God's Word and life's experiences.  He shared with me the other day, just after Maddie was born, an insight that has encouraged and motivated me since.  He said that most titles are achieved through tireless effort: professional athlete, CEO, boss, employee, graduate, etc.  However, the most important titles we receive first and then grow into them: father, mother, and Christian. 

How true!  I don't have a clue what I'm doing with Maddie right now.  Every day is a learning process and the Lord is merciful to sustain her and us.  Nonetheless, I am a father now.  The circumstances through which my fatherhood is expressed will change as she grows, though my committed love for her will be the center.  Most marvelous is that we who are Christians were declared righteous by the Father because of our trust in His Son.  Now, God, through His Spirit, works to sanctify us which is the outworking of our eternal title.  We receive the title first and then grow into its expression.  Maddie is a small baby.  She was 6lbs and 1 ounce when born and she swims in all of her 0-3 month clothes, but she is growing into them as she is nourished day-by-day.  We are all growing into the tremendous title of Christian as we live like Christ, as we live for Christ, as His Truth becomes our Truth, as as we proclaim to all our movement from darkness to light. 

Amen, thank You Lord.

mike