My wife, Ellen, and I recently returned from a wonderful vacation to the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. The area is about an hour south of Cancun and near the remarkable Mayan ruins of Tulum. We really look forward to these opportunities to travel and get glimpses into different cultures and lifestyles-as I know that many of you do.

Speaking of vacations, I saw an interesting survey. What would you say are the top three tourist spots in the world? Two of the three most-traveled-to-places in the world are Rome (the seat of Catholicism and Vatican City) and Mecca (the holiest site in the Islamic world). The third? Orlando, Florida. The home of Disney World. Apparently more people visit these three places than anywhere else on earth. We can talk about the "Seven Wonders of the World." We can discuss the list of the new "Seven Wonders of the World" that was announced on 7/7/2007 in Lisbon, Portugal. But the top three spots are Rome, Mecca, and Disney World.

I'm not sure if we can draw any conclusions from this data? But someone might be tempted to say that the three most influential figures in the world are the Pope, Mohammad-and Mickey Mouse. Personally, I'd have to put Jesus ahead of Mickey Mouse! But what is it about Mickey Mouse? Perhaps he represents the child in all of us? Maybe there is something inside of us that makes us want to see the world through the eyes of a child once in a while?

You've probably heard the story about the man who asked his wife what she would like for her birthday. She sighed and said, "I would love to be six again." So he started to plan for some special ways for her to celebrate. On the morning of her birthday, he woke her up bright and early. "Surprise!" he shouted. "I have a delightful day planned for you!" Trying to please her, her husband took her to the theme park. What a day! They rode every ride in the place. Five hours later, she staggered out of the park. Her head was reeling…her stomach was in knots. The next stop was to McDonald's where they feasted on a Big Kid's Meal with extra fries and chocolate shakes. Then it was off to see the latest Spider Man movie-complete with hot dogs and popcorn and candy. Finally, they made it home around midnight. She wobbled into the house and collapsed on the bed.
He leaned over and said very lovingly and tenderly, "Well, dear, what was it like being 6 again?" One eye popped open. She said, "You misunderstood me. I meant my dress size."

Unfortunately, that well-intentioned husband made a mistake. But I suspect some of us would like to be 6 again-perhaps for just a few hours? Time slips away so quickly. We get inundated with responsibilities and problems and bills. Then our children and grandchildren grow up so fast. But life keeps rolling and we are called and challenged to continue to grow and develop and mature.

THE APOSTLE PAUL RECOGNIZED THAT JUST AS THERE IS A MATURING PROCESS IN LIFE, THERE IS ALSO A MATURING PROCESS IN FAITH AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH. This is a common theme in many of his letters. Do you recall some of his words? I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready. Do you remember the eloquent images in I Corinthians 13? When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.

In his letter to the First Church of the Colossians, Paul continues to address this theme of growing in faith and spiritual maturation. Today and next week, I'll share a "mini-series" based on the first chapter of Colossians. Between now and then I invite you to read all four chapters of this short letter so that you get a better sense of Paul's message. Although we are reading somebody else's mail, it is my hope that we will be able to discern some of the important qualities and characteristics of the Christian faith. As we embrace and embody these virtues, we will provide a framework and foundation and fertile ground for spiritual growth and maturity to take place. When it comes to describing spiritual gifts, the first chapter of Colossians is like an abundant bush burgeoning with berries! I will only pick a few today and a few next week-but I encourage you to keep on filling your baskets as you read and reflect upon Paul's words. The three I will pick today are patience, generosity, and forgiveness.

And, to make sure that you and I don't fall asleep during the sermon, I'd like you to share in the proclamation of this message. Whenever you hear me say "Christ in you!" please respond by saying, "The Promise of Growth!" Let's practice: "Christ in you…the Promise of Growth!"

PAUL URGES THE COLOSSIAN CHRISTIANS TO "ENDURE EVERYTHING WITH PATIENCE." Christian patience is an elusive virtue in our "gotta have it now, hear it now, get it now, buy it now, eat it now, feel it now, grab it now, see it now, now, now, now" culture of ours. Advertisers try to convince us that our lives won't be complete until we have purchased the latest IPhone or have seen the latest Transformer or Bruce Willis movie. God knows-we need patience! And we need it when? Right now! And Christian patience is needed not just for situations and circumstances, but in the ways that we treat each other. The virtue of patience enables us to see ourselves in other people and to realize that we are in this together. Patience promotes compassion and empathy because it reveals to us how intimately we are all connected. We cannot arbitrarily separate ourselves from people or things we don't like or folks with whom we disagree. We are shareholders in the human condition-and we have far more in common than we will ever have differences.

In his book, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Alan Cohen tells of going to a concert performed by an elementary school band. He writes: "As the director raised his baton, I sat back and for some reason expected to hear a beautiful symphony. "To my surprise, I heard instead a horrid cacophony of squeaks, honks, upbeat notes on the downbeat, and a march that was way out of step. "I grew impatient; I wanted to walk out. "I thought, 'This is terrible!' and then I heard a gentle voice speak within me: 'These are children; they are learning; they are doing very well.' "The voice, of course, spoke truth-a word of patience. "I was judging them according to my expectations, not accepting that they were all doing the best they could. "At that moment, the music became lovely to me. "I sat back and thoroughly enjoyed every remaining moment of the concert-and I think I cheered the loudest at its finale."

Of course, when it comes to patience, Paul probably had much more in mind than trivial pursuits or persnickety people or poor performances. Christian patience also enables us to hang in and hold on when life becomes very difficult, when we suffer, when we have problems that won't go away. If anybody could write a book-or a letter-about that, it was Paul. Paul lets us know that we can receive the gift of patience-because it is "Christ in you…the promise of growth!"

HE ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT THOSE WHO CAN "JOYFULLY GIVE THANKS TO GOD" HAVE SUCCEEDED IN CULTIVATING THE CHRISTIAN VIRTUE OF GENEROSITY. Possessing a "generous spirit" enables people to participate in the extravagance that characterizes God's own generosity toward creation. Cautious, careful accounting is not one of God's strong suits. Neither should it be ours.

There is an interesting practice in some Native American tribes. Gifts that are extremely expensive or highly valued are thought to be inappropriate. The practice is discouraged because the recipient of the gift is often put at a permanent disadvantage. There is also concern about embarrassing the recipient and threatening the person's social status.

In our relationship with God, things are a little different. We cannot even begin to imagine the scope of God's gifts and blessings! And God offers these gifts-not to put us at a disadvantage or embarrass us or give us a ticket for some guilt trip. These gifts, this relationship, our countless blessings-are offered because of the grace and love of God. No matter how great our gifts, we can never approach the extravagance of God's love for us. But we can try! And we can seek ways to become more generous. We can love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And we can look for ways to become channels of God's love and generosity in this world. A generous spirit is not stingy, it doesn't demand a receipt, it goes above and beyond, it doesn't count the cost, it gives the benefit of the doubt. A generous spirit doesn't pay too much attention to boundaries and borders. Sometimes it is even generous to a fault-it patches up the cracks that split our families, our churches, our communities, our world. Paul lets us know that we can receive the gift of generosity-because it is "Christ in you…the promise of growth!"

AND PAUL PROCLAIMS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VIRTUES IN VERSE 1:14: FORGIVENESS. He says, "God has transferred you into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Some of you are fantastic forgivers-but the virtue of forgiveness is not natural. Ask the baby bird that stretches too far and falls out of its nest. Ask the squirrel whose tree is blown over in a thunderstorm. Ask the folks who lost their homes because of a lightning-ignited forest fire or rain-induced flood. Ask the family members of those who lost loved ones because gravity pulled their van into a pond on the 4th of July. Ask a starving family in Africa who cannot grow crops because the skies cannot rain. Ask our young people to share their stories from their mission trip to Beaumont to see if they think hurricanes are forgiving.

Some of you have seen the production of The Lion King in Louisville-and when they sing The Circle of Life, we sing along because we like the melody. And the song is about life-but it is also about death-it's about being a part of the food chain! In many ways, the natural world is unforgiving. And so, we might conclude that if forgiveness is not natural, it is supernatural-it is a gift from God, a spiritual gift. Could it be that God's forgiveness breaks the rules of nature and casts aside the judgments of creation? And is it important for us to recognize that as God extends forgiveness to us and we extend forgiveness to others-that this gift is based in love and grace?

The virtue of forgiveness doesn't mean that we condone or approve of everything that happens. Wrong behavior-cruelty, deceit, injustice, hate-none of these behaviors are condoned through the act of forgiveness. But none of these behaviors can be altered or undone or redeemed without the act of forgiveness. You've probably seen the research-the one who withholds forgiveness ends up losing-there is a cost. But when we forgive, muscular tensions are eased. We are less vulnerable to infection or to illness. Food tastes better, the world looks better. We tend to get along better with others-and tend to be less hard on ourselves.

Many of you heard the North Carolina Boys Choir a few weeks ago. One of the most moving pieces they shared was Birdsong, a selection from poems written by children in concentration camps. Some of you shared with me how meaningful and moving that presentation was-and how powerful the expressions of hope and forgiveness were in the words of the song.

Someone else shared this extraordinary prayer, which was left by the body of a dead child: "Oh Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. "But do not remember all the suffering they inflicted on us. "Remember the fruits we have bought, thanks to this suffering-our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this. "And when they come to judgment let all the fruits which we have borne become their forgiveness."

How can anybody pray this kind of prayer? How can anybody pray that their persecutors-even their murderers-be spared by the gains of grace caused by suffering? We cannot do it ourselves. Paul lets us know that this, too, is a gift from God. You can even receive forgiveness and offer forgiveness… Because it is "Christ in you…the promise of growth."