March 2021 Archives
Becoming Mature
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9
For as long as I can remember, I have not liked change. This includes change of plans. If I know that I cannot do something that I’d really like to do, I can usually deal with it. If I am planning to do something and then something comes up so that I can’t follow through with my plans, it is really hard for me to handle. In the last few months, I have had several changes to plans, and yet it has been obvious that God was redirecting. This does not always make it easy, but I find that He is giving me the grace to accept His will which is not always what I had planned.
It is easy to sing “Take my will and make it Thine,” but it is not easy to mean it. Deep down, the majority of people still desire to have their own way. “I surrender all” becomes something we think we mean until we are asked to do so. I have learned, however, that true joy comes from following the Lord regardless of what He asks.
Years ago, someone told me that maturity is when you can laugh at yourself. At the time, I thought I’ll never be mature then. But now I often tell on myself when I do something stupid as I can see the humor in it. And you know what? People really don’t love me any less.
It’s fun to watch children as they desire to get bigger. Some moms get a tape measure to track their child’s growth. I expect the child doesn’t realize how big he is getting until he compares the mark on the wall that measures his current height to the line which was made a year ago. So it is in spiritual growth. I know for myself that I get frustrated by the areas in which I am not seeing progress, but every once in a while, I realize that I responded differently to a situation than I would have once upon a time, and what rejoicing there is as I thank the Lord for continuing the work that He has begun in my life.
I don’t know where you are at in your Christian walk. Maybe you are full of overcoming victory. I expect some are discouraged by the lack of growth that they see. Whatever you do, do not give up. When you fail, acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness and help to conquer that area, and move forward. Maturity does not mean doing everything perfectly, but it does mean responding appropriately. I am still being stretched. My routine is currently disrupted. I continue to seek God daily for wisdom about the plans I’m making this year. I expect I’ll have more plans I will need to change. But I trust that I am growing in all of these and that He who began a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6), and He will do that for you as well.
Second Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~2 Timothy 1:7
I wish I could quote this verse to everyone who is fearful these days. Whether it’s fear of getting COVID, fear of losing a loved one, or worry about how they are going to pay bills, fear is running rampant and, unfortunately, some are turning that fear to blame. Blaming friends, the government … anyone they can think of in order to let out some deep-seated frustration and anxiety. I understand where these emotions are coming from, but I encourage you to turn that fear into prayer. God is able to meet every need beyond what you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). The problem is that we don’t often ask.
David Livingstone trod the dangerous jungles of Africa because he believed that nothing could harm him until it was God’s time to take him Home. I agree with his assessment where Spirit-led children of God are concerned. If you are seeking Him and His Kingdom, you must trust Him to complete the work that He has begun in you. God is not obligated to protect you from your own foolishness, but He will lead you in the paths that He desires you to go and will give you peace in the midst of your storms if you will but look to Him to do so.
Please know that I am not making light of your situation. I am not even saying that you don’t have a reason to be concerned. I just want to encourage you to turn your fear and anxiety to prayer and trust. God is able.
