DAY 31 MATURITY
1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
I heard a message years ago and the pastor was doing a series on maturity, when he got to the message for the men, he literally yelled at them at one point: “Men, you need to grow up! You need to act like a man”! Now, I don’t agree with the tactics of that pastor, but I will always remember it. He had a great point. We have a society that tends to live in the glory days of the past, we have reality shows that encourage drama from High school or college reunions. Then there is Big Brother, Survivor and the goofiness of The Bachelor and Bachelorette shows. The pastor who was yelling at the men, was pointing out that spiritually they were being immature which impacted the rest of their lives physically and that they were making poor decisions because of their poor spiritual growth. When he addressed the women, he handled it gently and His wife did a portion of the teaching pointing to Titus 2 women and Proverbs 31 as model. As Christians, we are to be follower of Christs teachings and actions.
Ephesians 4:14-15
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ...
We cannot just surrender our lives to the Lord and then continue on with the way we have always lived life. I know men and women in their senior years that have been Christians the majority of their lives, but yet they are still infants in their faith. We must grow and mature in every aspect of our lives. I saw a news story on Adult Boredom a couple years ago. Not sure where they got all of their information from, but the following is what was on the screen.
Study on adult boredom:
The average adult has 131 days of boredom
60% of adults think their lives are too grown up
73% miss aspects of their childhood
39% would rather do kid activities, than something more mature
1-in-5 adults would pick a sleep over with friends than see a movie
In all honesty, my reaction was, “Wah! Grow up you big babies! Adulting is hard… get over it”! What part of our lives are too grown up? The part where we contribute to society and have to go to work? Maybe the part where we are responsible adults? Some of my childhood memories are awesome! Riding my bike, building forts, playing with Hot Wheels and army men, oh and GI Joe! But how goofy would it be for me to go outside and play army man in the back yard? Pew… Pew… Kaboom!!!! And the sleep over thing? Thats just weird. I don't know any of my friends that wouldn’t look at me sideways and possibly slap me if I said; "You want to have a sleep over”?
Now, as a grandpa I get to play with my girls, we get on the floor and play, making coffee, making dinner, build forts, play hot wheels and legos… but then, I may change a diaper, feed them, put them down for bed or a nap (you know the boring adult things).
If you are feeling bored you should ramp up your spiritual maturity. Dig into the Word of God. If you engage in your faith the way the Bible tells you to, I guarantee you will not be bored!
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
We must be in a constant state of learning. As we age physically we gain knowledge from our experiences. We naturally mature (or we should) and as we mature we should then engage at a higher level in all areas. As a believer we gain experience by engaging our faith in everyday life stuff. We gain spiritual strength and knowledge for this. Let the the days of infancy go, let the “good ole” days and the high school or college days go. Live for Christ today as a maturing believer and do everything you can to help others do the same.
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I have not obtained it and am far from perfect! I am as Paul said the “chiefest of sinners”. However, I am striving heavenward! I am praying that the Holy Spirit draws you in and strengthens you in your walk.
As you pray, ask God to help you desire the meat of His word and that you are able to let the childish things go.
Hold steady, eyes on God!
Much love and blessings, Pastor Scott