Maturity
When you think of the word “maturity” what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
When I think about maturity I think about the efficient use of energy and power. When I was younger and full of excess energy, I did not think much about planning out my day or my steps when working outside. I just did what was right in front of me or what I felt like doing. It wasn’t that big of deal because I had plenty of energy. I guess you could say that speed and strength were my friends.
Think About It
As I have grown a bit older, I have noticed a change in the way I go about living my life. I plan my days and my weeks. I am careful about how many appointments I make in one day or in one week. I ask myself questions in order to determine the events on my schedule. Some of these questions are as broad as “Is this the best use of my time?” Other questions are more specific to my life’s missions. Sometimes I ask “What will I do this week to add value to God’s Kingdom?
I have learned over the years that if I am not careful I will live out the desires and expectations of others while missing the opportunity to live out the dreams God has placed in my heart. The strange thing is that most of my dreams today have come out of the trials, troubles, and tough times of life. The tough times have changed the way I look at life and they have developed in me new dreams. I might dare say better and bigger dreams.
James explains how trials and difficulties actually make a person more mature. He writes: "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4
God’s goal is not to crush us but to compact us into a more viable individual. He wants to make us into people who become relevant to the needs of others. He does this by testing our faith causing us to develop perseverance resulting in maturity. Mature people think more. They pray more. They work in a God-directed way. Their energy is laser focused on things that matter.
Mature people are curious in the activities of God. They trust God - believing that trials serve a divine and practical purpose. So when trials come, they no longer attempt to outrun them like a foolish person tries to outrun a tornado. Instead, they spiritually and emotionally hide in God. But what does that practically look like?
Try It
Take some time this week and think about how you use your energy. Are you worrying? Are you running around trying to fix everything that’s wrong in your world? Are you evaluating your activities next to your life’s purpose? Are you putting off the hard things because you don’t feel like doing what needs to be done? Are you praying, confessing, praising, reading, serving, growing?
