THE JOURNEY TO MATURITY
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is no short-cut to maturity. It takes time to grow from an infant to an adult. That journey will include some ups and downs. There will be struggles, victories, and defeats. It takes years to become a mature adult. Some people try to avoid the process because they don’t like the time it takes or the pain that is part of the process.
As followers of Christ, we are on a journey to become mature believers. That maturity is marked by the presence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Paul list nine characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
In farming it takes time for good fruit to grow. I’m told that if you try to rush the process the fruit loses its flavor.
We can’t rush God’s work in our lives. We must trust His process working in us and through us. Paul reminds us in our text today that God “will continue his work until it is finally finished.”
God will not abandon the process of maturity for each of us. He is working in His time and method. We can’t force God’s time to meet our desires. Nor can we adjust the method.
We must have faith to trust God’s timing and method.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to trust that You are working even when I don’t understand. Help me realize that the process can be long and confusing, but Your love and compassion will bring me through.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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