Many old pastors and even older Chinese immigrant Christians in the States seem to stop growing. I would thought at first that they were just being old, weak and tired. But as Itook time to observe, I realized they are behaving this way because they believe that 1. They have reached their goal of life by settling in America, 2. They have reached an age when the federal government must compensate their living like the rest of the Americans. So, why should they strive any more? It's time to enjoy the blessing they deserve as senior Americans, the dream that was the whole point of them coming here. God is good.
I think, to God, they are like babies whom God is teaching to climb the stairs, but stopped half way saying they are tired already, they cannot continue anymore. They laid their chubby bottoms on the steps saying this is the top and expect God to tell them, "you've done enough, good job!".
That is why I see preachers like Pastor Stephen Tong as, 可愛. Not as in "cute", but lovable. Because he is still climbing the steps, trying to reach the pinnacle, while some of the babies glared at him with wonder, some with jealousy, some speechless and some looking around as if they really don't know what's going on. Granted, I'm sure there are some who are a little motivated to move up a step or two with all their might.
I am but half of them. But surely, they are not the oldest sages of mankind.