When I Grow Up

“What would you like to be when you grow up?”

I remember being asked that question when I was a kid. I had several different answers, none of which ever happened.

Some of my ideas were a fireman, policeman, rock star, artist, and industrial engineer. For a little while I considered an over the road trucking occupation, but never got started. I considered making the military a career, but felt like I should leave the army after four years.

It’s funny, but the jobs I found myself doing I never, ever thought about in my adolescent years.

For instance, I never dreamed about being a house painter, parking lot attendant, foundry worker, or driver for a courier company. Working in a meat packing house or an injection molding firm weren’t on my list of desired jobs, either.

I wasn’t going to join the army, but felt like it was the thing to do when I was about 21.

Crazy, the things we find ourselves doing for one reason or another.

When we grow up.

A kid we know told his parents that he wanted to be either a preacher or a robber when he grew up. How’s that for a dream?

I never thought I’d work in a grocery store, or deliver mail door to door. But, like I said, it’s kind of crazy the things we find ourselves doing.

I didn’t see myself ever becoming a follower of Jesus, let alone a minister of the gospel.

Frankly, it was hard to fathom ever growing up!

Although I couldn’t forsee the future, or know in advance what circumstances I’d face, God had a plan and a purpose for me. Even before I knew him, he knew me.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

He knew about me, and he certainly knows about you.

One thing I’ve learned over the past 39 years of walking with Jesus is I don’t have to worry about my future as long as I keep waking with Jesus. He can, and does, take care of my future (as well as my past and present).

What he DOES want for me, and you, is that we grow up.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2 ESV)

Do I have a dream of what I’d like to do? To be? I mean of course, when I grow up?

After 60 years I believe I’ve finally settled on something…

What do I want to be when I grow up?

Like Jesus.

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29 ESV)