One of life's little disappointments for me is to watch a rosebud start to open up, then without warning shrink back into a bud, shrivel up, and die. When this happens, I feel like I have been cheated out of its beauty and splendor.
I suspect that the LORD feels the same way when one of His children fails to mature properly. I think that God feels robbed when Christians refuse to open up and allow the Holy Spirit to transform them into the image and majesty of our Lord Jesus. Perhaps God even sighs or groans when Christians shrink back and withdraw into themselves.
The reason why we do is obvious. We feel safe. There is no risk of failure and there is no threat of rejection. The probability of pain and humiliation is considerably lower and we find comfort in not opening up to the dangers of the big bad world.
On the other hand, if we do not have the desire to be outgoing and share out faith, our spiritual growth will wither and God's Spirit will be quenched. We will not experience the depths of peace and joy that the Scriptures promise us. Our faith in Him will not be renewed and we will not blossom into the full radiance of our LORD Jesus.
[Father, I pray] . . . that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel . . . [I pray] that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should; [In Jesus’ name, Amen!] (Ephesians 6:19-20)
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