Monday, March 10, 2008

Maturity

I am one of those early risers, like 3 am early. It is not my idea. Somewhere around 4o my clock changed and 3 am is normal for me now. One of the things I do like about that hour is the Worship Channel on TV. They show scenes, play Christian music and give mini sermons periodically. I thought I'd share a few of those moments with you this morning.

The minister said that we will punish ourselves if we violate our own conscience. Which means if we lie or live out or think on that which we think is less than perfect or right in God's eyes, we will punish ourselves. I pondered the thought in search of areas not okay with me. Where have I missed the mark? Have I lied to myself about the incident? Have I tried to cover up or avoid or just plain left the path? The best way to answer these questions is to look inside the heart. Is peace still in charge of my life? If not, then why?

The next thought presented referred to maturity.
  • One able to take responsibility for the words and actions of their life
  • The ability to delay gratification
  • Deciding to be truthful in every area of our lives

I have for some time believed that spiritual maturity meant love. Since I like to take things to the simplest explanation, I left it at that...Agape love. Meaning that when Agape love rules over our lives, we are spiritually mature. But when I look at these qualification above, Agape is present in each one. It caused me to expand my thinking. Agape not only applies to others and how I treat them but to myself and how I think about myself.

The next thought came from a Bible verse I read in conjunction with the Worship Channel, 2 Cor. 12:9. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Have you noticed, the answer is always the same? The truth is always the same. The story, the way, the life is always the same. We can do nothing aside from the power of Christ in our lives. He tells us here that He works best through our weakness. That tells me that every day we need to come to Him, acknowledge, repent and accept our weakness in exchange for His power, power He gives abundantly to one in need. He supplies Agape love. We simply allow this love to flow through us (note: through us). We receive what we need at that time and thus allow it to overflow on to others.

No comments: