CHRIST IS FORMED IN YOU

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

 

Thank God that He understands the hidden part within each of us. He understands the child in us, and He speaks to our blanket-clutching, thumb-sucking, infantile need. In spite of our growth, income, education, or notoriety, He will speak to the childhood issues of the aging heart. This is the ministry that only a Father can give.

 

Have you ever noticed that you are never a grown-up to the ones who birthed you? They completely disregard the gray hairs, crowfeet, and bulging, blossoming waistlines of abundant life. No matter how many children call you “Dad” or “Mom,” to your parents you are still just a child yourself.

 

They seem to think you have slipped into the closet to put on grown-up clothes and are really just playing a game. They must believe that somewhere beneath the receding hairline there is still a child, hiding in the darkness of adulthood. The worst part about it is (keep this quiet) I think they are right!

 

The Lord looks beyond our facade and sees trembling places in our lives. He knows our innermost needs. No matter how spiritually mature we try to appear, He is still aware that lurking in the shadows is a discarded candy wrapper from the childish desire we just prayed off last night--the lingering evidence of some little temper or temptation that only the Father can see hiding within His supposedly “all grown-up” little child.

It is He alone whom we must trust to see the very worst in us, yet still think the very best of us. It is simply the love of a Father.