Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Discipleship changes you. That should go without saying, but sometimes we seem to forget it. I say it frequently, but it’s true nonetheless: God accepts us as we are, but He never leaves us as we are. The apostles were indeed “uneducated, common men,” but they had been with Jesus. That experience of walking and living with Jesus had changed them fundamentally, and on top of that, He had given them His Spirit. We too need to so walk with Jesus that we are transformed. The song, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, has been on my mind ever since I woke up this morning, and it fits this perfectly. The closer and the longer we walk with Him, the more we are transformed into His likeness. Some people are frankly scared by that. They are used to themselves as they are, and the idea of transformation is scary. Conversely, sometimes we are depressed at how slowly we change, when we recognize those places in us that aren’t pleasing to God. However, as God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Like Paul, then, we need to “delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) We should expect to grow, and indeed, seek to grow, but at the same time, not be impatient with God’s timetable. We can’t accomplish it by ourselves, and need to remember that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

As a pastor, I need to remember this for myself, and I also need to remember it in relation to the people under my care. There are times when I wish I could mature faster, and there are times when I wish they would mature faster! I am acutely aware that I can’t do it by my strength and wisdom, but God can do it, even using me. Again, as Paul said, “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) That’s what spiritual growth is all about. Parents want their children to grow in every way, but all they can do is provide nourishment and guidance. Seeing my children with their children on this trip has been a strong reminder of that. I didn’t do a perfect job, and neither are they perfect, but God is faithful, and growth is happening. I will shortly be returning to my spiritual children in Omura, and exactly the same thing may be said about them. I am to rest, relax, and rejoice in my Lord, allowing Him to grow us as He knows we need it, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the insight you gave me earlier this morning about my daughters. I pray that You would guide, guard, and comfort them, particularly regarding the mortality of their parents. They aren’t used to seeing us this old! I ask Your guidance and anointing for these last 24 hours, that Cathy and I may leave with peace and joy all around, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!