Childish to Manhood

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. (1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV84)

There is a natural way in growing - childhood to manhood. In this scripture passage, Paul just finished defining love and then goes on to talk about the natural way of growing - putting childish acts behind and moving on to manhood. What does this teach us? The church in Corinth just went through a sermon on being orderly in their worship and acting out of love. It's assumed that having "out of order" actions do not actually display maturity rather, childish. Orderliness is an act of maturity. How can we assess out lives if whether we are acting maturely or still in a childish manner? When we are acting out of order, chaotic or unpeaceful in many ways (if put in the context of what we've just read) as well as the natural acceptable cultural acts of maturity, etc.

In what ways am I still immature and out of order? Sometimes when I try to get what I want, I jump on hoops and not go through proper order of things. The Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a proper time and procedure for every matter... The wise in heart does know when and how and what that is through wisdom and guidance from the Lord King (Eccl 8:5-6). Therefore, start acting maturely indeed. I know which areas I have crossed the line of going out of order in procedure and I repent from that by allowing God to lead me and not allow my childish ways to bring me back to disorderliness in certain processes in life. I can almost say that anything out of order in life can most likely be an act if immaturity for any person.

Lord, forgive me for acting immaturely on some matters in life -- many times in the area of relationships. I pray that you help me turn away from those i acted in a disorderly and improper manner. Give me strength that no matter what, you will guide me through completing the Godly process of things, that I won't jump in hoops and more importantly, You would be glorified by the mature actions I have displayed through Your power alone. iI commit everything to You, in Jesus name. Amen.