Maturity = Gratitude
November 24, 2020
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 NLT
If you were putting together a list of characteristics of someone who was emotionally and spiritually mature, what would make your list? We typically are impressed with knowledge—someone who can quote Scripture at the drop of a hat. Faithful church attendance and participation might be mentioned. Compassion for others is a big one for me. Some of us would put displays of signs and wonders or a spiritual gift high on the list. Nothing wrong with any of those ideas, and all of them can be great assets to spiritual life. All of those characteristics or qualities help us have satisfying relationships as well. But you can be all of those things and yet have huge lapses in emotional and spiritual maturity. You can probably name a few people who fit that description.
Paul knew what it was to grow from a spiritual child into a mature, dependable follower of Christ. He became so stable and whole in life that God entrusted him as His specific spokesperson to teach Jesus-followers how to live. His letters are full of instruction on growing strong and mature in our faith and way of life.
He tells us to let our roots, everything that gives us life and stability, grow down deep into Jesus. Deliberately build our lives on Him. That means that nothing about Jesus would be an add-on. His character, plans, and perspectives would take precedence over everything else. He would be far more than forgiveness from our past—He would be the foundation for our present and our future. If we will do that, Paul says two things will happen:
Your faith will grow strong. You will be immovable. The winds of change and the pressures of culture will not impact you. As James 1 says, you will no longer be blown and tossed like a wave on the sea. You will be strong and able to stand. Mature and dependable, you will be a source of strength to others, no longer looking for others to encourage you and keep you from falling.
You will overflow with thankfulness. It won’t be a quickie, “Oh, yeah! Thanks!” on occasion to people who provided a service or did something kind for you. It won’t be a perfunctory prayer of thanksgiving to God over meals or even as a part of a daily discipline. It will be the tone and defining element of your life, and everyone will see it. You awaken each day with an overwhelming awareness of the goodness of God. Even the disappointments of life can’t shake your conviction. You are deeply aware that you live in the goodness of God. That’s maturity at it’s best.
- Listen to the song, Goodness of God. Perhaps sing along. Turn it into your grateful prayer today.