We will never be too old to pursue the quest of spiritual growth

A hallmark of Christian maturity is the pursuit of lifelong fruitful progress. Paul writing to the Philippians (3:113ff) uses satirical irony to summarize his motivational perspective to experience fullness of encounter with Jesus . . .

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

The challenge to Christians entering later lifestages is simply a call to quest . . . “hey, there’s more spiritual formation into the life, purpose and image of Christ than one has yet attained – so go after it”.

Christian spiritual quest’s the sign Christian maturity is pursuit, it’s attainment; it’s incarnation it’s never arrival.

Paul’s Philippian take is . . .

“If some folks think they’ve lived long enough and see differently to him on this one, that’s OK – I’m right, but it will take God to convince some folks otherwise. Therefore keep living out what you have already attained/incarnated . . . just keep growing through your pursuit of Jesus”.

Quest is good.

Remembrance is of greater value than Reminiscence

When Paul wrote to Timothy he encouraged him to remember what he had learned by reproducing it into the lives of others ... today we define this as "mentoring" ... remembering by reproducing ... grasping what was being learnt more than when it was learnt ...

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. – 2 Timothy 2:1-2

My father was born in 1895 and died in 1980, I recall over the years since his death many people telling me my dad was a “man’s man” . . . they had seen him in life, work, recreation, community and action … I had lived with him … what I think they were really seeking to express is – “he was a mentor’s mentor”.

He had two sons, I am the younger one - both my brother and I were amongst the men he mentored. These days we often reflect on our lessons learned, lived and passed onto others from him.


Now in our sixties, when we talk over life with our folks, the recall-focus is “more upon what was happening than when it happened” – that is the difference between remembrance and reminiscence.