"Babes in Christ".
I've heard that once or twice in my lifetime. It refers to someone who is new to the whole "Christianity" thing. Someone who is just beginning to learn about God, the Bible, the religion they chose to start following, etc. I was listening to a friend talk about her sister, and she used the term "Baby Christian." Well, being the Nila I am, I opened my mouth and said the first thing that came to my head, without thinking it over.
"I'm a Mid-Life-Crisis Christian."
And so inspires this blog.
It's not entirely true. I think I'm actually coming out of my Mid-Life-Crisis Christian stage. I'd say two years ago, I was in full-on Crisis Mode! I'll explain in a minute, but first, a brief synopsis of my version of a Christian's Life Cycle. Keep in mind, these cycles have no time or age limit. I know people of all ages at all stages. Some seem to skip through stages quickly, others linger for decades in before moving on.
BABIES
These are the ones who, as mentioned above, are brand-new to Christianity. For whatever reason, they are just beginning to study a religion, and they just don't know a whole lot about it. You can't start teaching a new convert out of the Book of Revelation - that's meat and potatoes stuff. You gotta start with the basics: who God is, what it takes to get to Heaven, simple topics like these.
TODDLERS
Eventually, the Babies will start to grow, and, chances are, may take a tumble now and then. Hopefully, they won't lie there and throw a fit, asking why God didn't keep them from falling, but they'll pick themselves up and keep trying. They're getting into a little more detailed things now - the guidelines/standards of the religion, how to pray about something/someone without ASKING for something, diving into the Bible stories with a little more depth, and so on.
TEENS
Zest for life. Maybe a little rebellious at times, but they have the basics down and can get back to what's important when they have to. Of course, they think they know everything, and everyone else is just plain dumb. Competitive, Impulsive, and an interesting mixture of Courage and Fear. Peer pressure gets to them sometimes.
ADULTS, Part I
Very sure of themselves and their walk with God. Quite comfortable going in-depth with any story, parable, or lesson in the Bible. Prayer life is consistent, unselfish. They know that, if they don't have the answer, they can always ask for directions. And they have figured out by now the right person to ask. Confident. At peace. Perhaps not as energetic as in the previous stages.
MID-LIFE CRISIS ADULTS
Hit a brick wall. They know right from wrong, but maybe they just miss part of their old life, or fear there is something out there that just might be more fun. Decide the responsibility can be put on hold for a second, but they'll come back to it later. Perhaps stray a bit from the ways of God or the standards of their religion. In Denial.
ADULTS, Part II
These are the ones who have figured out, once and for all, that they want to stay on the path that leads to Everlasting Life. They've figured out that having a Mid-Life-Crisis is childish and just costs too much. They've learned enough by now to know how to get back on track.
OLDIES BUT GOODIES
Stable, Settled, Grounded. Like a palm tree in heavy winds, their roots go deep enough that a little wind and rain may cause them to bend, but they won't be going anywhere. Know how to bow to God when the storm comes, so they don't break under the pressure. These are the ones all others look to for advice, wisdom, direction.
All right, so, how did I come to be in a Mid-Life-Crisis before the age of 30? Well, having been born and raised in Pentecostal churches, and having the wonderful, responsible OLDIES-staged parents I have, I was at church every time the doors were open (minimum of four services a week, actually). I ate, breathed, and slept Church, so I think my BABIES and TODDLERS stages were over pretty much before I could remember. I hit the TEENAGERS stage fairly early and think I stayed there until I was about 20, at which time I decided to get involved. So I joined prayer groups, youth drama team, choir, and all sorts of other church-related ministries, loving every minute of it and soaking it up.
My crisis came about as a result of my favorite prayer group sort of splitting off and leaving our church. Not sure why, don't really care, and definitely don't want to know why. But it crushed me. My mentors actually turned their backs on my church, my home. I went through a period of time where I wondered if my church really WAS the way to go. Maybe I was just in it because I always had been, because my parents always had been. Could it be just a three-generation-mistake? It hurt, going to church and not seeing my OLDIES there. I had a young child. Was this really the way I wanted to raise her?
I started questioning everything I ever believe in. Even started feeling the old Depression Demon coming over me.
So, unsure of myself or foundation, I spent a year or two undecided about my life. I started missing services here and there, un-involving myself, sitting in the back, and doing what I could to become invisible at church and, maybe, in God's eyes.
Then it just sort of hit me. Why am I letting other people's decisions determine how my life plays out? This is MY life, MY choice! I've seen enough miracles, and had enough prayers answered to KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt, that this is the right thing for me. It may not be for everyone, and I certainly don't believe that only Pentecostals will be in Heaven, or even that all Pentecostals will be. I have done enough studies to know the differences in most major Christian religions, and to know that, while mine is flawed (run by humans, right?), my church IS the place for ME and for my family.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Crisis averted.
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