Like many people, over the weekend, I spent time listening and re-listening to Jay-Z’s new album 4:44. While this post isn’t a review of the album in the least, I do want to talk about a major theme of the album- the evolution of the mind- and how that applies to a Christian.

I didn’t scroll too far on Instagram or Facebook before seeing multiple posts about this album and how it is so different than previous ones in terms of lyrical content. Should that really be such a surprise though? Should we expect a person to stay in the same spot for his entire life never learning lessons from his experiences both good and bad? My answer is a resounding “no!”

My birthday is in a few days, and while I don’t fear getting older, one of my biggest fears is finding myself in the same “place” year after year. Whether it’s emotionally, spiritually, financially, or academically, I want to grow.  Interestingly enough, God’s Word encourages us to do just that.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Have you noticed how many adults there are walking around doing childish things? Perhaps you use the word “foolish” or “immature” instead. My point in asking the question is to get you thinking about the fact that maturity isn’t necessarily about a number and more so about a state of mind. You can be thirty and making immature decisions. I recently heard a man say that he didn’t really become a man until he reached 40. A shift in his mindset had taken place. This then lead to a change in behavior. No one has a true experience with God and remains the same.  The changes may be small at first, but when we begin to yield to God, we become more pliable so that He is able to mold us into what He would have us to be.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.

While I had given my life to Christ at the age of 12, looking back on my years as a young adult, I found that I was stuck on the basics. I was doing just enough to be comfortable.  The thing is, GROWTH ISN’T COMFORTABLE!!! That’s why we have growing pains. Growth is outside of our comfort zones.  At some point, we
have to graduate from basic addition to algebra, trigonometry, and statistics. Yes, Jesus gave his life for our sins- past, present, and future- but at what point do we stop committing the exact same ones over and over again? There is no growth there!

2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

I remember when I first began to feel God growing me, I was uncomfortable.  It was like, I was suddenly too big for the space I had been occupying. I was a hermit crab, and it was time to flee my old shell for a new home. I don’t know what your old shell was- sex, gossip, insecurity, lying alcohol, drugs, whatever- but there is a new home already waiting on you.

 

The first cut on 4:44 is titled “Kill Jay-Z.” This is the thing- whatever is growing and evolving is still alive. So, I encourage you to continue to continue to grow. Grow in your craft, grow in love, and most importantly, grow in your faith!