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.

One is sweet, the other is deep....

I love when questions come in twos.... it immediately makes you feel far less alone!

• How do I go from believing in Christ to actually following Christ?
• What is the main difference between believing and following?

Thank you for asking!

Friends, you are looking to gain an understanding of the difference between salvation and surrender.... a tall question that every Christian should ask of themselves, daily.  Some days I live saved, other days I live surrendered..... there is a very big difference.

Salvation is sweet and simple.
Surrender is deep and difficult.

Believers in Christ have taken the step of salvation.

It is a one time event.... the moment in which we choose to make Jesus the Lord of our lives, the moment in which our names are penned into the most important book ever written for entry into glorious eternal life, it is incredibly beautiful, incredibly sweet and simple, it is the necessary foundation and  for the Christian walk, and

Most would agree that this was the most important moment of their lives.

I believe Jesus would say the same thing,
....until the moment that you believe.

After that moment, I believe that He is far more interested in our surrender. 

Unlike salvation, it has to happen over, and over, and over again.  And it is NOT natural. 

I believe that salvation is as much natural as divine.  There is need within us designed to feel empty and incomplete, and God pursues that void in our hearts because His passion is to take residency within.  We are designed with salvation in mind.  And while life is best lived fully surrendered, I do not think it is natural for mankind.

Think about it like this: 

When you are a parent of a little one, they believe that you will save them from any trouble, danger, or mess they become entangled in.  However, the more that child grows the less they believe that they need your help, and they try to go their own way.  It must happen in order to bring about maturity, but the fact that you could still help them has never changed.  You want to save them and make it better, but at some point their own choice is a very real factor.  It is very special to have your child melt into your arms when they are little.  Although it is incredibly sweet, it is no where near as special as when they CHOOSE to return to your arms as they grow. 

Why? 

Because as they grow, it requires surrender.... a moment of acknowledging their own fault, responsibility, or sin in a matter.  When your child is young you are the center of all their affections and attention... However as that young child grows there are other things pulling for their attention and affection, many distractions and much busyness....   Now think about that same grown child finally realizing that they had been going in the wrong direction.  They finally give in and muster up an " I blew it, mom... you were right...." or perhaps a "I need your help to get out of this mess I've made...."moment.

That, to me, is what I believe my own surrender feels like to Jesus. 

One is sweet, the other is deep.

God designed family to teach us about our need for Him... for both salvation (needing saved) and surrender (needing saved again from the consequences of doing it my own way).  He's not going to force me to surrender, but He delights when I do... over and over and over again. 

As sweet as the moment of my salvation was when I first ran into His arms, the moments of surrender that we have shared mean SO much more.  Whether it is every day simply choosing to live to for Him over myself, or the releasing a specific area of life that I was doing my own way, or yielding to those nudges the Spirit gives, or learning more about doing life God's way... He delights in our surrender.

Friends, this same God is still pursing your heart today.  He is the loving Father who wants to save you.... over and over and over again.  He wants to take up more room, in more areas.  He wants to be Lord of ALL of it.  The broken parts, the old parts, the new parts.  But it requires surrender....

Beautiful plan, beautiful God.

Church, let's let our Savior delight in His people this Easter as we surrender more to Him.....

Parents, most of us are either thankful for, or praying for, the salvation of our kids... let's not only pray for their salvation, but for their surrender as well. 

A saved child is protected, a surrendered child is powerful.




Heavenly Father, 

You are God, and I am not.  Your way is perfect, mine is not.  Help me to have eyes to see the areas of my life that need to get in step with your plans for me.  Thank you for wanting all of me, help me to surrender all to You.  Please Lord, pursue my children to live their lives fully surrendered to you, and show me how to model a life fully dependent on You.

In the name of Jesus, who surrendered all,
Amen.