the    sides

This is part of our e-journey through the gospel of John. Today is from John 14.

…then I can do what I want to do when I want to do it.”

“Like eat dessert before I eat dinner.” One of my children - who will remain nameless - made this observation the other night. It was a shocking revelation to both Amy and I. We had no idea that we were oppressing our children in making them eat dinner BEFORE dessert.

We also had no idea that as adults we could do what we want when we wanted.

“I’m no longer doing laundry or cooking dinner.”

“I’m no longer going to work,instead I’m going to hone my Xbox 360 skills.” But Grant, that is work isn’t it? But I digress.

The greatest disappointment of my life was when I realized that I’d grown up and no longer had to do what my parents told me to do. Instead, I had a boss, multiple professors, a coach, a girlfriend, and goals.

It’s a cruel twist of logic. We think “growing up” means more when according to Jesus, it means less. We think it’s more freedom, more money, more time, more choices. Jesus’ example was less. Less of me, more of God. Less of my will, my wants and more of God’s. Less of me trying to figure it all out, more of just doing whatever the Father tells me to do.

Jesus says a lot of deep things in this chapter - but the one that sticks in my craw is “I do only what the Father tells me to do.” He wasn’t out for self-preservation or glory. Just doing what his father told him to do - no matter what it cost him.

Could that be the true mark of growing up? You think less about yourself than others? You think less about yourself and more about what (or who) you are investing your life in?

Blessed is the man who loses his life, he’ll find it.

The man, in his joy, went and sold all he had to buy the field that had the treasure in it.

Go sell all you have and follow me.

That kind of abandonment can only be done by those who have truly grown up. Here’s to becoming that kind of person.