Plain Vanilla Christian

Tweet

Have you ever heard someone say, "That's just plain vanilla" ? In my thinking, that phrase is usually heard when a salesman is trying to talk you into upgrading into the deluxe model. My usual terse answer is, "There's nothing plain about vanilla." You see, I love vanilla. There is nothing better than a mug of vanilla bean ice cream late in the evening to bring comfort to these weary bones. I don't want cherries, chocolate, marshmallows, or jimmies. I just want vanilla ice cream.

Now, I just found out after making a comment on Sunday about the importance of believers becoming mature, I was right. The best things in life do need to mature, including vanilla. For us to finally get vanilla in useable form takes years. 4 and a half years from planting to your kitchen. The process of planting, growing, pollinating, harvesting, and curing takes large amounts of time and effort. If you want vanilla, real vanilla, not the imitation stuff, you must determine to mature it in the proper way. It is only then that we can use it in our ice cream, cakes, sauces, or anything else I can imagine adding it to.

How does this happen? Here's a excerpt from an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper:

It takes up to three years after a vanilla-producing orchid vine is planted before the first pale yellowish-green flowers even appear, then another 1 1/2 years from the time the flowers are pollinated until the bean is processed. Now you know why vanilla is so expensive: It requires years' worth of labor.

So, I ask you, are you ready for a plain vanilla Christian life? It will take time and energy and willingness for you to grow to maturity. As a college professor once told us, "You can be spiritual in a moment, but spiritual maturity requires time" (Dr. Sumner Wemp, Liberty Unviversity).

But time is not enough. You see, as you have seen over and over, some people never grow up, they only get older and bigger. This is why we spent 5 weeks at Oceanside Sunday morning services and at our small groups explaining why we must sell out to the Jesus as Lord. That means life, or BIO, as we have discovered, means that to mature, we get:

BEFORE GOD - spending 10 minutes a day with Jesus (the 959 plan is a great place to start. Please contact us for more information about this great starting point).

IN FELLOWSHIP - making it a point to be in church and in small group every single week.

ON MISSION - being able to tell your story with people God brings to you at work, at school, at play, or wherever you are.

The Bible tells us that we are to mature. Prayers have already been offered to the Lord for us to become mature. Read what 2 Corinthians 13 tells us:

"We also pray that you become fully mature" and "become mature" (See verses 9 and 11)

So, how about it? Are you ready to experience life, BIO, as never before? Get started now. Become a "vanilla" Christian as you mature in Christ. You will truly be UNSTOPPABLE!

Pastor Trey Rhodes

See you Sunday Morning at 10:30! UNSTOPPABLE Series begins this week. See you there!

www.MyOceansideChurch.com for our website


MyOceansideChurch.podbean.com for most audio messages

www.OCAnnounce.info for our latest updates on ministry and events

Posted with Blogsy