Growing Up

I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men 
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. 
1 John 2:14 (NIV)

What are the markers of true maturity? And I don’t mean just turning a certain age, but actually growing up?

Experts name five markers of adulthood. 

You leave home. 

You finish school. 

You get married. 

You have a child. 

You pay your own bills.

In 1960, 66% of men and 77% of women hit all five by age 30. By 2010, only 27% of men and 39% of women did. We are growing up slower than we used to.

You can grow older without ever growing up. That same danger shows up in your walk with God.

John calls some believers “dear children,” others “young men,” and others “fathers.” Each group knows Christ at a different level. John says, “I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:14,NIV).

How did those young people get strong? Strength does not come from years in church alone. Some of the most immature Christians I’ve ever pastored never miss a Sunday. You can attend church every week and judge every sermon without ever letting one change you.

The number one sign of spiritual health is spiritual growth. And growth doesn’t happen by accident.

Open your Bible before you open your phone each morning. Read one chapter, and ask God where your growth has stalled. Then do something about it. Forgive someone, apologize, set up a coffee date with that person you’ve wanted to encourage in their faith.

You won’t grow up automatically by having another birthday. You need one action step in Christ taken today, tomorrow, and so on. 

God did not save you to leave you the same. He saved you to help you grow up.

Prayer: God, I do not want to just get older. I want to grow up in my walk with You. Show me one place today where I am still stuck as a child. Give me the courage to take the step You are asking me to take. In Jesus’ name, Amen.