Sand Castles or swimming

I've been around in a lot of Christian circles.  I've been in many different settings spiritually.  

Years ago in my earlier and eager excitement, I felt that my depth of spirituality was where everyone needed to be....I had no time for practical, everyday stuff, things that only ministered as deeply as the soul,  if it didn't reach into the depths of the spirit realm,  then I just assumed it wasn't where God was, and wasn't worth my time...

Boy did I have a lot to learn.  (and am still learning - forgive me Lord)

A few years ago my husband and I started camping with our kids on the beach for a week at a time on the south shore of Long Island.  It was a new thing for me...I am not a fan of the waters, especially the deep water....(there's stuff out there I don't want to know about or encounter) 

It wasn't until this last year, five years from our first venture, that I actually swam out past the breaks, may be 20 feet away from shore.   I've sat on the shore for years and played with my feet in the sand, and my chair comfortably right at the water line so my feet stay cool and refresh me in the blazing sun.  It took me years to get in past my knees...and I still don't like the deep...I know I won't go and be as daring as the boogie boarders or even the surfers like my son who go out there 100 yards or so....

But aren't there christians like that too...and shame on us for diminishing their worth, their resolve, their passion for Christ, just because they wont go, or can't go where we think they need to go or we think they need to go where we've been  if they want to encounter God.

God often reminds me that He is in the everyday stuff...that he can be met, by different people, different personality types in different ways....some meet God best in the practical details of life and understanding, putting all the facts together and seeing a beautiful puzzle put together of God's Grace for them.  Some meet God best in exhuberant moments, joyful elation and celebration in the presence of others that share the same zeal.  Some meet God best in the quiet times alone, carefully and peacefully sharing their heart with Him.   Others meet and experience God best as they are diligently doing for Him.  While Others experience God best emotionally moved perhaps as they are hearing  a convicting message that brings them to tears as they fall on their knees in utter abandon.

Each person is meeting God, where they are at, in their own way, in their own time, and in a way that God has wired them to receive from Him.  It is different for everyone...and we must be sensative to that, appreciate that and welcome that...not shun it or think its less than the way in which we receive from Him...

Just as everyone's mode of expression is different, so too is their mode of reception.

Granted, God calls each one of us to continue to pursue Him, more and more.  As a mentor and teacher I have to allow God room to do that in each person differently.  To challenge people when they need to be challenged, and be the cheerleader for someone when they need a cheerleader.  To swim in deep waters with those who are willing to spiritually, but also be willing to build sand castles or just wade in the waters with those who aren't ready yet to go further....

With the fruit of patience, long suffering, and love for others, I'll be willing to encourage, equip, engage, waiting, not pushing and sharing in their experience rather than resenting that they're not where my prideful mind thinks I am - (only to realize my religious pride put's me in shallower water than they may be)