When I was a child I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man I put away childish things. 1Cor. 13:11.
Sometimes I boast that I am a child at heart. I still enjoy playing in the floor with my grandchildren and love to watch Veggie Tales, Bob the Builder, and my personal favorites Tom and Jerry. I remember what it was like when I was a child and I have fun teaching stories, poems, and childhood songs to them. When the toys are picked up and the children go home the house always feels a little empty without their laughter and joy.
Their problems to us seem so small but to them they are monumental. They turn to us for answers. Our answers and solutions for their problems teach them how to handle similar problems in the future. It is all a part of growing up. It is amazing however, just how many adults never grow up and still deal with childlike behaviors.
As adults we are not expected to have anger issues to reconcile like; “He hit me first!” “She took my cookie!” Don’t touch me!” “He doesn’t like me!” “She always gets to go first!” I know these all sound childish and it may be hard to imagine adults acting this way, but they do, don’t they?
I heard one spouse say to the other, “Why don’t you grow up!?” “Sometimes you can be so childish!” “What are you going to do, run home crying to mama?” Or how about problems at work that bring about a childish response. “I’ve been working there longer than Joe, why did he get promoted.” “That should have been my account.” “Who does she think she is?” “Nobody appreciates me.”
It happens in the church too more times than you can imagine. Some Pastors probably feel more like a nursery worker at times than a Pastor. I won’t list any of the church quotes; I don’t want anyone to think their Pastor has been a “Tattletale,” but you can take almost any of the above quotes and put them in a church context and they will work just fine.
All this boils down to a feeling of self worth that is below average. Sometimes I think the reason we want to be appreciated, revered and exalted by others so badly is because we value ourselves so little. Our self confidence sags and needs support. Some of it is human nature but much if not most of it is a lack of maturity.
We have all seen and maybe owned a wrist band with WWJD (what would Jesus do) engraved on it. I think we may need a new one that says WWJS (what would Jesus SAY) engraved. Can you imagine Jesus saying any of the things we have written in these quotes? What would Jesus say to the person that was picked for the Job promotion? What would Jesus say to the committee that you didn't get picked to serve on that picked out the new Piano? What would Jesus say to the Husband or Wife who forgot to write down a check they had written? What would Jesus say to a Christian Brother or Sister who is suffering the consequences of some bad choices they have made?
Say what you mean and mean
what you say but say it with Love the way Jesus would.
