Growing Up Childishness is a part of all of us

Growing Up

Childishness is a part of all of us

You can’t stop getting older unless you die

But you can stop growing up

Make it your goal every day to grow

Put away childish things but never stop feeling young

Help me to grow up before I grow old.

Childishness is a part of all of us.

When do we stop growing up?

The answer is we should never stop growing up.

The sad thing is many of us think

of growing up according to age.

“I am a grownup at age 16, when I can drive.”

“I am a grownup at age 18, when I can vote and drink.”

“I am a grownup when I am 21 and out on my own.”

And that is it, we have arrived when we are an adult.

 But are we grown up?

Kids can be a lot of fun, their free spirit

and lack of worry is admired by all of us.

Some adults, who have not grown

up, are a lot of fun to be with.

I think all of us at times wish we were

a kid again leaving responsibility

to others so we can have fun.

I have observed those adults

who have not grown up.

They don’t worry and they don’t plan their future.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander,

no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer

and gathers its food at harvest.”

Proverbs 6:6-8

We stop growing up when we stop learning.

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance — 

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 1:5-7

Responsibility takes work.

Sadly, I have watched America

move away from work.

In the late, 70’s, surveys were taken and

Americans wanted less work and more

leisure time, this was the push for the future.

I believe there is a balance between work and rest.

A major complaint of employers

is they cannot find good workers.

Politicians will argue about fair

trade and jobs leaving America.

But we must address the issues

of creating a stronger work force.

Kids don’t work they play.

Many employers fail because

there is not enough productivity.

A sign of not growing up is excuses.

Excuses are never productive.

  

The mature will take an attitude like the apostle Paul.

He did not let his position in life be an excuse.

Whether in need or plenty he said…

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

You can’t stop getting older unless you die.

But you can stop growing up.

Make it your goal every day to grow.

Put away childish things

but never stop feeling young.

Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 NIV

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 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. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.