“When he came to his senses, he said . . ‘I will go to the father.’” Luke 15:17 NIV
“Maturity is rightly responding to life’s situations, according to Biblical patterns of behavior.”
My thoughts today are about “God’s ways.”
Maturity is an understanding of how life works best and willingness to cooperate with that. Maturity is not chronological; it does not automatically come with age. Maturity is the ability to recognize what is valuable and lasting, rather than alluring but temporary. Maturity is the ability to choose deferred benefits instead of settling for immediate gratification.
Spiritual maturity is God’s goal for your life. “Until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe . .” Ephesians 4:13-14 NLT. A definition of maturity I devised is this: “Maturity is rightly responding to life’s situations, according to Biblical patterns of behavior.” A shorter way to say that is: maturity is Christ-likeness.
Jesus told a poignant story of a prodigal son who wanted his ways, not his father’s. See Luke 15:11-24 NIV. He wanted to live his way; he wanted to have his life on his terms. He knew what he wanted, and thought it could not be found where he was. “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 21:2 NIV. Sound like anyone you have known? We are not all that different really. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 NIV.
After needless loss and waste, he “came to his senses and said. . I will go to my father.” Luke 15:17-18 NIV. It is sad when a person doesn’t learn from mistakes. He came to his senses; then he came back to the father! Everything he thought he wanted would be found nowhere else except in the provision from his father’s hands. That will always be true for you as well. Everything that makes life rich and meaningful is only found in the provision of your Father’s hands!
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon . . for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.” Isaiah 55:7-9 NKJV. God’s ways are best. See Psalm 18:30 NKJV. Life starts working out for you when you accept the fact that Father knows best, and live accordingly. “By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:6-7 NKJV. Adapt your ways to God’s ways; that’s always the best way. Do you need to “come home” to the Father’s house today?
My prayer for you today is that you trust God’s ways in all situations and times.