Growing up, by Paul Gilbertson

  Posted on September 17, 2019  by   2 comments

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV)

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Lately, I have been thinking about growing up.  If you are an adult, this week’s pondering is not for you, so hand it over to your kids.  Of course, if you still feel like a kid, like I do, you can take a look at it.

Kids, I wanted to talk to you this week.  I have a couple of stories I wanted to share in hopes you can learn some lessons from them.  Believe it or not, I was once your age (so were your parents), and I went through a lot of the same trials and feelings you may be going through.

When my brother and I were younger we spent a lot of time at our grandparent’s house.  When we were there, we had a great time playing and helping them out with different chores.  Believe it or not we didn’t have video games, phones, tablets, or some other form of entertainment to pass the time, so we worked and played card games.  The thing I remember most about being there was the time just before we went to bed.  Every night we would watch my grandparent’s and uncle sit down and read their Bibles.  Seeing that over and over again made an impression on me.  When I got older I would do the same thing, and that simple act would help me get through some difficult times in my life.  I could feel the Holy Spirit working in my life.  I may not have understood everything I read but it started a rock solid foundation for me.

The second story I wanted to share was when I was in high school.  One day I was talking with my pastor and his wife when the subject of reading the Bible came up.  I have never forgotten what my pastor’s wife told me.  She said that when I read the Bible, let the Word and Holy Spirit talk to me and most importantly listen to them.  And it was true.  I would read a verse or chapter of the Bible and then I would go back and re-read it at a different time and the Holy Spirit would show me something different and it was what I needed to learn at the time.  As we grow in understanding of God’s word, He tells us different things.

I know it is a difficult time growing up and maybe even more so now than when I was younger with all the technology that we have, but please find a Christian adult around you (your parents or another trusted Christian adult).  They want you to learn from their example.  Remember that God loves you very much and he will always be by your side.  You just need to listen to his soft voice.

Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV)

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Blessings, Paul Gilbertson