Maturity Means Growing Up

Colossians 1:28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.

We like to think of ourselves, don’t we, as being mature. Physically, emotionally, and indeed, spiritually. And yet invariably we each still have some growing up left to do. And that … well, it’s not easy.

What’s supposed to happen as the years go by is that we’re meant to grow up from immaturity … to maturity. It’s a life-long process. And yet we do so like to hang on to some of our childish ways – some of those little me-centred tantrums that at the end of the day cause us a lot of pain.

You see, that’s the bottom line. Immaturity causes pain.

What teenager hasn’t rolled their eyes when they’ve been told to do something by their parents. We all did it, and our kids have all done it too. Teenagers want the best of both worlds in that place somewhere between childhood and adulthood. On the one hand, they want freedom but on the other they expect their parents still to be their servants.

The problem is that many parents don’t ever teach their children to grow up because it’s hard work, it takes energy, there’s conflict. As a result, many adults never actually grow up.

To each of my children, somewhere along the line, I’ve said this: Don’t expect to act like a child and yet be treated as an adult.

This isn’t just for teenagers. Maturity means growing up. It’s not easy for any of us.

Colossians 1:28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.

Whatever it is in your life, whatever childish ways you may be hanging on to … grow up.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.