Signs of infancy – you expect and desire Pastors to come say “Hi” to you at church. You want us to come to you when we are busy and have a lot of things going on.
Signs of maturity (although this does not mean you are mature, but it is a better option) – if you like us to say “Hi,” you come to us and greet us.
Now, this does not mean you have to come greet, but all leaders should come greet, as that shows respect. When Pastor Yoojin’s door is closed, it does not mean you need to knock to say hi, but you can say hi when she is out. But do not use it as an opportunity to vent out your week. You may report as leaders, but venting can be directed to your spouses, and that is their job, which is to listen to your venting.
If it appears we may be avoiding you, this is because you come with the same problems, questions, and help when the original instructions were already given. You refuse original instructions, and you want one that aligns with your own flesh and desires.
If you want more access to us, you cannot come with forced problems to mandate us to give you an audience. What do I mean by forced problems? You get yourself into trouble on purpose or do something foolish just to get our attention. You do not think we know this? All it is to us is a replay of your seasons. It would be to your detriment if you keep going backwards to get our attention. This is like testing and playing games with God through His servants.
We are in a spiritual war, and we are an army of God. Therefore, if you want more access to us, do not try to be our friends but our officers who are trustable, faithful, flowing with us in the HS, stop lying to us, stop playing games with us or with other leaders, stop acting dumb when you are very cunning and mischievous, stop trying to bribe us, and stop having tantrums to force us to engage with you. All you are doing is wasting your own time, and if you have not noticed, you are getting old with little or no fruit borne and no profit in talent or minas. Then what will happen? You will be an old person with no legacy or preparation for heaven.
The prophet Jeremiah’s warning lasted for 40 years. God’s people in the wilderness with Moses was 40 years. But everything did not happen at the end of the 40 years. The rebellious people with Moses did not all drop dead at the end of 40 years. They progressively dwindle away. The judgment during Jeremiah’s time was progressive. When we are shrinking and not increasing, it is a sign for us to look at our own lives. God provided, and their clothes and shoes never wore out. This is not just about physical increase, but if you cannot even get to that place, that is a double warning. The wilderness was provided with physical stability and an increase. The problem was spiritual, increase into maturity.
Are we going to mature and grow up so that we will not fall in the promised land? Or will we be like the people in Jeremiah‘s time, because the judgment is received in measure, we think we are safe?
There was still an appearance of a finished harvest at the end of summer, but yet in Jeremiah’s time they came to realize they were still not saved.
Jeremiah 8:20 NLT“The harvest is finished, and the summer is gone,” the people cry, “yet we are not saved!”
You can do the work for a harvest, but fail to understand the process that was used to lead us into intimacy and knowing our God! But intimacy is only for the mature and not for babies. Therefore, intimacy brings you to the inner table and circle.
Additional Comments:
The temple or table has three layers or stages.
The outer court is for the general population.
Then the second level is the Holy Place. A place of leaders or priests.
The third and last which is the Holy of Holies. This is the intimacy level, but you can die in there instantly. Everyone wants this level but does not realize you can be zapped instantly. So grow up before you try to enter.
You do not necessarily need to come shake my hands all the time, but at least acknowledge each other when I pass by, instead of you having tunnel vision. Generally people with tunnel vision are introverts who intentionally avoid people. If that is you, which was Pastor Yoojin before, you do need to see it for yourself and change.
Intimacy and maturity will bring you to His Table.
Infancy will bring you to the diaper-changing table
But I think some of u want to stay a baby intentionally
Some people stay in a “troubled or harmful” state to keep the attention coming.
Senior Pastor Steve Kim