Maturity-How do YOU define it?

The one.

Ever notice the one at the ball game, the one who forgot it was a game and is acting as though the world has stopped spinning because the ref made a poor call?  How about the one at the bar, the one who has aged in years, but yet is whining like a toddler?  How about the one who has put so much stock in learning, the one with a rich mind but empty soul?  How about the one who gets angry and takes it out on anyone or anything in sight?  Or, maybe the one who can't put the potato chips down each time life gets hard.

The one.  The one everyone seems to notice.  Immaturity does that.  It magnifies our weaknesses.

We all start here.  We've all cried as babies, thrown tantrums, felt the disappointments of life for the first time.  It looks alright on a baby, but it does not look good on an adult who is fully capable of maturing.

Maturity.
How do you define it? 

We all have seen the difference between those who simply grow older and those who choose to grow up.  We can mature in many, many ways.... physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually.

To me, maturity is simple.

It is learning to do with what we feel.

When you choose to follow Christ, maturity takes on a whole new meaning.  Because you are committing not only to a lifetime of learning, but maturing as well.  And the scales change.  What the world (or culture) accepts as mature, Christ may not.

Don't get me wrong, Christ fully accepts us right where we are, just as we are..... but He also knows growing in His likeness is in the best interest of anyone who is able, and all those surrounding them.

This addresses the most common salvation defense question I've encountered.  If God will forgive my everything, then why not just keep "living it up" and then "get right with God" just before I die?  Well friend, we've talked about many reasons for that question, but today I'll remind you of just one.

His ways aren't just perfect for heaven.  They are perfect for earth, too.  Doing life His way brings heaven to earth every single day.  Who really wouldn't want a little more of heaven here on earth?  Only pure evil.  The rest of us should want to welcome it with open arms.  We all have the chance to do so......

We all can turn the other cheek when we are wronged.
We all can choose to love unconditionally.
We all can be the bigger in our relationship strife.
We all can extend grace and mercy to those undeserving.
We all can see the hurt of another, even if we are hurting too.
We all can die to our own reputations for His sake.
We all can take the path of integrity no matter the cost.

We all can bring a little more heaven to earth each day.


That's how we all can become the one who gives grace to human refs, even after a bad call.  Or become the one to face life's problems rather than drink until we don't feel.  Or the one who is rich in both mind and soul.  Or the one who doesn't give full vent to our anger.  Or the one no longer chooses to soothe ourselves with food.

Because, let's face it!  No matter the struggle.... 30, 40, 50, 60 year old tantrums just aren't pretty!



So where are you struggling to follow Christ?

Where is He stretching you to learn how to do with what you feel?

Where are you being tempted to follow the world instead of Christ?

I know where mine is right now, and following Him there this week was not easy, nor without struggle.  But, every single struggle presents an opportunity for a victory in Him.... and every single victory in Him brings a little more heaven to this earth and to those all around me.  And He delights.

Jesus Christ.  The only One who can transform and earthly weaknesses into a heavenly touch.  There is none like Him.