Let Go and Let God

I was contemplating and pondering one of the many lessons that I have learned this year and am still continuing to learn. It is quite simple actually...yet not so simple to "master", despite the fact that this particular "quality" can never fully be mastered. Maturity is a PROCESS. It cannot be gained all at once-on rare occasions maybe in large bulks. It is a series of events that, should you choose to respond Biblically to, shapes you into a more mature person. The circumstances, trials, and troubles serve as the vessels through which maturity can be gained. It is a lifelong process. I am also a firm believer in the fact that those who claim to be mature, are not as mature as they think. Just as those who claim that they are wise people are not as wise as they proclaim to be.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Romans 5:3-5

This verse clearly depicts the value and worth of responding in a Godly manner toward trials and tribulations, ultimately concluding in hope which does not disappoint. And lets be honest-we all know that feeling disappointed is one of the worst possible feelings one can experience. A hopeless kind of feeling-and this verse guarantees our hope. Can it get any better than that?

"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things."

1 Corinthians 13:11

Here we see that transition from a child into maturity. This involves a change and transition also, in the activities that we participate in...or rather HOW we participate in them in some cases. Now, not to be mistaken with the verse that communicates that we should have a childlike faith. Adults have a way of over-complicating, over-analyzing, and over-dramatizing things. Children do not know any better and easily trust and do not become entrenched in skepticism very often. This verse just points out that in the maturity process, changes occur. You begin to act differently than you used to. PROCESS.

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I have you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?"

Here we see the maturity of believers compared to young infants and to spiritual men. Just as infants cannot partake of meat, only milk, so young, immature believers in Christ cannot yet partake of the meat of Scripture. They must be nursed on milk first-it does not happen ALL AT ONCE. PROCESS.

So much more can be encapsulated within the topic of spiritual maturity, maturity in general, and childlike faith. But my point was just to point out the simplicity of the truth of this lesson-maturity is a life-long process that cannot be expedited. I cannot just try, try, try and ask for maturity and expect myself to attain it all at once. I just need to let go, and let God. Let Him do what He does.

"...You do not have because you do not ask." James 4:2

If you ask, He will come through-but with no strain there will come no strength. So you ask? Be ready for trials to be thrown your way-how else do you grow and mature?