Each year immediately after Christmas day, there seems to be a moment of reflection as we complete one year and prepare for a new year. Perhaps, it is just my perception, but I suspect many of us consider this period different than any other time in the year. We have been busy preparing for the big Day. Afterwards, it may seem to be a let down. Many of us have to go back to work to pay for what we just spent. We have tax deadlines to meet in order to get all those last minute deductions. We reflect on how much food we ate and set goals to loose all that extra weight. This year has reached its maturity but have we? O well, there is always next year. Right?
You can find a lot of information on the internet regarding maturity. One interesting article list 12 attributes defining emotional maturity. (www.liveyourtruestorey.com) I believe we can choose to live as a child doing childlike actions all of our lives or we can choose to grow. I am guilty of non-growth periods in my life and ashamed to admit perhaps a few times where I went backwards in my emotional maturity efforts. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to humble our self to accept growth. We need to be flexible enough to accept growth inwardly before we can present a state of maturity outwardly. Whatever our New Year’s resolution we claim outwardly this year, we must believe in our selves first before broadcasting to others.
There maybe times when people we know or love dislike us. The reasons may be simple or complex but if we dwell on the dislikes, we will certainly miss the likes. We need to show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We need to be tolerant and show willingness to forgive. Most important, we need to love which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:12-14) If we concentrate on these attributes, the number of people who dislike us will be reduced. I believe we should not be in a contest to achieve likes for the sake of recognition. Instead, we should be in a state of maturing where we like ourselves, believe in ourselves and become more approachable.
Two stories in the old and new testaments have helped me to understand maturity. Samuel was a young boy given to Eli as an apprentice to serve the Lord. The boy kept growing up (maturing) and was more and more liked by both the Lord and the people. (1 Samuel 2:18-26) Jesus was only 12 years old when he went to Jerusalem with his parents for the Passover Festival. He stayed behind to listen and question with an understanding of the answers. His parents were not happy with his 3 day absence. Jesus had the maturity even at that age to be patient and tolerant. He continued to mature in wisdom and years in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:41-52) We can learn from these stories the state of maturity. I encourage you to learn the attributes of maturity. If we all practice and grow together, in my opinion, we can overcome many obstacles holding us from full maturity. Happy New Year!
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