MATURITY

James 1:5--If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Young Eric made quite an impression. This child from Tigard Oregon gave a church full of people an earful of wisdom. During a time of thanksgiving, Eric bravely stood up and waited for the microphone. The youngster explained that although he was sad his family would be moving away, they would have a special opportunity to be missionaries to the people in the city where his dad now has a new job. As most of us know, leaving friends and the comfort of home to reside in another place is tough. But Eric had a heavenly perspective that didn’t come from reading comic books.

Spiritual maturity is not necessarily proportional to age. The Bible clearly indicates that it is linked to our relationship with God. Anyone whose eyes look through the lens of faith and whose heart is linked with Christ can demonstrate maturity. This is precisely why children can utter such profound statements. A child in love with God often understands truth in a simple and meaningful fashion.

While experience is an indispensable asset and perseverance a great key to growth, the most mature people I have ever known are those who have a deep friendship with God. Their maturity is like a rich Persian rug woven with the royal fabric of sound character—that demonstrates holiness, and by wisdom—which evidences an ability to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.

We can test our maturity by evaluating our desires. Earthly (unspiritual), maturity is mostly defined by what is achieved. A logical pattern develops. Evil desires when conceived, give birth to sin, which, when full-grown, result in death (James 1:14,15). Heavenly (spiritual), maturity is mostly defined by what one is willing to lose in order to know God. Good desires are God-dependent and result in the peace of God which transcends all understanding and which guards one’s heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

A child saw opportunity to honor His Father and in so doing gained a heavenly perspective. Sometimes it takes the voice of a child to remind us what really counts. Way to go Eric!

Inspiration

When we become mature in godliness God trusts His own honor to us by placing us where the world, the flesh, and the devil may try us, knowing that “greater is He that is in You, than he that is in the world.”—Oswald Chambers in Studies in the Sermon on the Mount