This week I have been reading in Ephesians. What struck me in Ephesians 4:12 was that God wanted me to attain to mature womanhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that I may no longer be a child, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, I am to grow up in every way…..
What does that mean? What am I to do? I can’t do vague. So I decided to make a comparison like we were taught to do at school.
- Child: Spends all her pocket money on sweets and toys on the first day.
- Adult: Budgets money to pay for commitments and makes sure there is enough to last the month.
- Child: Gets distracted from tasks easily .
- Adult: Finishes tasks
- Child: Gets upset easily about small hurts and disappointments. Throws a tantrum if she doesn’t get her way.
- Adult: Moves beyond temporary feelings and impulses.
- Child: Assumes adults know everything and believes what she is told.
- Adult: Makes own decisions based on reason and research rather that the popular opinion of others.
- Child: Govered by the feeling of the moment.
- Adult: governed by values and understanding of the right thing to do.
I could probably add a lot to this list but just these five points make me realize yes, I haven’t grown up properly. I still do what I feel like and regard my hard earned money as mine to spend as I wish. I tried to remember how I justified my purchase of a tablet just because everybody else had one. Now its main purpose is as an alarm to wake me in the mornings.
So, I have a long way to go. Only with God’s help can I outgrow my childish tendencies and grow into the maturity he desires.