¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. ¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-13

Dear God, what would it feel like to be mature in you? What would I look like if I were a person who measured up to the full and complete standard of Jesus? I mean, I think I am maturing, but, frankly, it’s hard to imagine htting that standard in this lifetime. I hve so far to go. It reminds me of a person who need to lose 200 lbs. They’ve lost about 60 lbs, and I can tell, but they could still stand to lose about 140 lbs. I feel like that person when it comes to describing the growth that needs to happen between me and the “complete standard of Christ.” I’ve made some progress over the last 40-ish years. I probably don’t have another 40 on this earth. How much more can I grow towards Jesus in the time between now and my death and the next world?

And why do I need to grow? If you have grace for me, why do I need to do better? Well, for your sake and the sake of those around me, of course. I am part of your body, and your body is your Plan A. And there is no Plan B. I need to be as mature as possible to do my part.

Father, help me to grow just a little bit closer to you today. Help me to be just a little bit more like you. To quote a song that is based on a prayer from St. Francis, “When men look at me I want them to see the Light of the World inside.”

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen