Made for More: Mature

Ephesians 4:14-15 “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Sometimes when I want to tease my teenage daughters, I’ll ask them, “How is puberty going?”  Puberty is a word that reminds us of the awkward process of becoming an adult.  Very few navigate this stage of life gracefully.  Many of us can look back and cringe at the decisions we made, clothes we wore, and things we said during this stage of life.  Personally, I am thankful that I had people around me who were mature enough to help me navigate and grow during this time of life. 

Biologically, a creature is mature when it can reproduce.  Spiritually, we are mature when we can reproduce the life of Jesus in someone else!  Today, the world can feel as confusing as middle school.  Many who we know are frustrated, tired, and not behaving the way they normally do.  During this time, we need to be spiritually and emotionally mature. 

How about you?  Have you felt like you have been tossed back and forth in the waves of emotion during the past year?  Is there a chance that your response has been less than mature?  How can you share truth in love with those you know today that are struggling? 

Take a few moments to read and reflect on the marks of a mature follower of Jesus in Ephesians 4.  How can you grow more mature today?