I am getting older.
I like this. I may not always like it. But right now I do. I like the fact that each year I get less likely to ‘make that mistake again.’
If an expert is someone who has made every mistake in the book, I am becoming an expert.
I find new mistakes to make all the time.
So does that mean I am immature?
Not necessarily.

What do you think of as maturity?
Is it when you stop getting spots? Or when you are able to let certain things pass that would have once made your blood boil?
Is maturity just a ripening? Is it a harvest of thought and attitude and the senses in harmony with one another?
For many of us maturity is the time of life when, if you had the time, you would have the time of your life. Most of us don’t ever think about it. We just get older.
But that’s not the same thing. Not at all.
I know some very old people who are incredibly immature. They have never learnt to share, think of others, deal with anger, forgive, understand God’s discipline or live in the power of His spirit. Oh they may go to church. They may make jam for the local fete. They may even love the Lord. But there is something very key missing.

It was Nietzsche who said that man matures when he reclaims the seriousness he had as a child at play.

This is very true. Young children do not realise they are playing when they are. They are working VERY hard to understand all sorts of things. Textures, cause and effect, rudimentary maths, science, language, role play, drama, history, music”¦ The list goes on.

So how serious are you about growing up?
How do you measure your own maturity in Christ?
In recent weeks I have been very challenged about this. I have been wondering why in some areas of my life I seem to be static, earthbound and immature”¦ when in others I am soaring and am able to ‘see above the natural.’

My mentor (Goodness me! HE has his work cut out! DO pray for him!) has been asking me tough questions of late.
Talking to me about the fruits of the spirit, he has been checking in with me and asking me how my gentleness, and my self- control is. They are the marks of the really mature person you see.
The extent to which your life and mine reflect those fruits is the extent to which we are mature in God. It sounds simple. But its true.

Galatians 5:22 says this (Amplified Version)
“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence.)

The work which His presence within accomplishes… See? HE needs to be present to accomplish these things in your life. So, how even is your temper? Are you known for your benevolence? How continent are you? (not in the sense of urine of course”¦ but in the sense of being uncontrolled and unrestrained in your words, actions and attitudes)
In order to check your maturity, you only really need this one verse. It’s the yard stick for measuring it all.

There are no ‘tena lady pants’ provided. We all need to intentionally grow up – not just grow older.