Navigating the Shift: Embracing Passive Spirituality and the Season of Maturity
Award shows, such as the ESPY's, often showcase our fascination with celebrities and their seemingly unstoppable talents. While watching the show earlier this year, I witnessed LeBron James playfully hinting at retirement, but no one took it seriously. On the other hand, Carmelo Anthony's retirement was genuine, as he was not picked up by any teams last Fall. During the show, LeBron, Chris Paul, and Dwayne Wade paid tribute to Carmelo. In his speech, Carmelo acknowledged the end of his basketball career but expressed his determination to find success in other endeavors. I wondered if he truly believed in his ability to succeed outside of basketball or if it was a way for him to cope with disappointment. In other words, was he accepting the end of one chapter of his life and gracefully moving on to the next, or was he pushing forward as a means of avoiding defeat?
Similarly, many Christians experience a shift in their spiritual lives as they grow older. In their youth, they may have had a strong connection with Jesus, but as responsibilities increase, the time available for actively engaging in the spiritual disciplines that nurtured that connection diminishes. This is a common experience and can be seen as a sign of maturity. In John 21:18, Jesus imparts a profound message to His apostle Peter. He says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." In Peter's youth, he enjoyed the freedom to dress as he pleased, go wherever he desired, and do as he pleased. However, as he matured, his life took on a different meaning. Growing older and deepening his relationship with Jesus meant facing increased suffering. His youthful faith was fueled by his strong will, but in his later years, his faith became more passive. It relied less on his own actions and more on the events that unfolded around him. This can be described as passive spirituality, where one is shaped by the constraints and challenges of life rather than personal achievements. There comes a point in life when relying solely on our own energy and drive no longer yields the same results. This is particularly true in Peter's case, as he would face a type of death that would bring glory to God. In other words, it was through Peter's suffering and ultimate sacrifice that God would be glorified, rather than the successes he achieved through his own willpower.
Like Peter, all mature Christians will experience a season when their previous "get up and go" mentality no longer produces the same outcomes. However, through faithfulness in this season, God is pleased and blessings will come. Embrace this period of passive spirituality and let go of clinging to youth. It is a time of being molded by the Lord, and that is a beautiful thing.
