Now that I’m in my 50s, I don’t have to look in the mirror very long to realize I am growing older. People often say to me, “Aw, you look so young, Joni,” but they’re looking at me on a platform or something from — you know — 10 feet away. If they got up close, they’d see those wrinkles! I never thought I’d have so many gray hairs in my eyebrows... and all those other stiff prickly little hairs that crop up on your face (hairs you used to see on your mother; and now you have them!).
I’m growing older without any effort on my part. I just wish I could grow older, grow more mature in the Lord without any effort... but it doesn’t work that way. 2 Peter 1:5-6 says, “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance,” and so on. Yet... wouldn’t it be neat if you, as a Christian, could just look in a mirror to see whether or not you were growing more mature in Christ? Wouldn’t it be great if it were that easy?
Well, in a way, it is. I know of a very simple indicator – I call it a leading growth indicator – which instantly reveals how much you’ve grown in the Lord. I learned it from my friend, Nancy Barshaw. She says, “I know that I’m growing in Christ when it takes me half the time than it used to, to come to a resolution, or resolve a troubling circumstance, or some habit. If it takes half the time to get there, then I know I’m growing.”
That lady is right. It’s a great way to determine whether or not you’re maturing in the Lord Jesus. And it’s so simple. It’s as simple as looking in a mirror.
The other day, for instance, my husband Ken and I were on our way to my sister-in-law’s for dinner. I had gotten the times all wrong and we were late leaving the house; as a result, I was getting the silent treatment. Now there was a time when I would have been defensive, I would have justified my actions or, if not that, I would have needled my husband to, “Would you please talk to me?!”
But as it was, I rather enjoyed the quiet all the way to my sister-in-law’s. The silent treatment didn’t rankle me at all. In fact, I found myself praying for Ken and then it struck me, “My, I remember years back when if this had happened, I would be miserable right now... and I would have only added fuel to the fire. But, Lord, thank you that — hey — my heart is quiet. I guess I’m growing up in you.” As it turned out, Ken broke the silence about a few miles before we reached his sister’s house — he commented that we really should pray and quit thinking about ourselves and concentrate on reaching out to the family. And so we did, we prayed... and so it was one of the most pleasant times, not only with him, but with my sister-in-law and her husband. It was the best ever!
Does it take you less time to resolve conflict in your heart? Less time to place your trust in Christ? Are you quicker with the word of encouragement? Are you faster to think the best? Does it take you fewer days to get from point A to point B in your spiritual journey? If it does, then it’s as easy as looking in the mirror: you’re getting older... you’re getting a little older in the Lord.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends