Languishing

1 Samuel 2:26

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with God and also with man.

The dreadful plateau, Bunyan’s “Enchanted Ground”, all cry out to me to beware. The godless masculinity of Eli’s sons is all the more abhorrent when placed next to the dutiful service of a young boy in a linen rob simply serving and growing. Maturing physically and spiritually he soon outstrips the “men” in his life. Yet, even in the strength of this start he finds himself completely unable to raise godly men as he becomes a father.

As Eli’s sons have found themselves in complete control of the worship of God. Worship is an activity that they control and that is quite lucrative for them. They have no need for “God” only the trappings that come from those poor saps trying to scratch a religious itch. The repeated pleas of their father are dutifully relegated to insignificance as an old man who doesn’t know how life really works. God allows them to gain in authority and to misuse their position. How many fell into spiritual apathy and ambivalence because of what they endured and witnessed at the hands of these “priests”.  Then simply to watch as the high priest, turned a blind eye unwilling to do anything of consequence to save God’s people.

How do we fall away from “growing in stature and in favor” to languishing in the Slough of Despond, and sleeping on Enchanted Ground? Not growing or drawing near the celestial city but simply content with the status que of our spiritual walk. No longer pursuing God, but turning from the pursuit and simply “enjoying the journey.” We are not called to perpetual childishness in our faith but perpetual growth. Into a full maturity in our faith. Not faltering and finding our current strength and prowess enough but one that seeks greater usefulness and service in the kingdom of God.

As the perpetual adolescence of our society is beginning to take it’s toll, I have to wonder if that is not true of our churches as well. How many of those who have been Christians for decades are content with marginal effort in their walk? A verse a day, and memorized John 3:16 and Psalm 23, is all they desire of effort? Worse still is that all I desire? Pastoral standards are higher but am I simply meeting a height goal so I can ride the ride or am I pursuing continued growth?

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you might obtain it”. 1 Cor 9:24

CORAM DEO