For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:9-10

Peter Pan entertained us with the self-centered fantasy of never growing up in a place called “Never-Never Land.”  At the other extreme, merely getting older can become a kind of never-never land too.  For example, at my age, if not careful, I could become magnetized to senior citizen discounts, think orthopedic shoes only, or live in frustration denying northern body parts heading south.

There’s an element of fun in the story of Peter Pan and certainly some wisdom in acting one’s age.  Growing older is easy.  Growing up is another story!  For today’s encouragement, may we consider that at any point, it’s never too late for us to begin “growing up” in a solid and mature way in the land of the Here and Now.

There’s always a suspicion when one puts a formula together to guarantee anything. My heart-felt desire to grow up rather than dry up or blow up forces me to at least try. Please bear with me as I share a simple four-level strategy I believe will help us (me) accomplish the long-term goal of  “growing up.” Ready….. here we go:

At the basic level, we have a need to be Christ-centered and truly believe in being chosen and valued as part of God’s family. Secondly, for an alert to the fact that we have the capacity to remain childlike (not childish) in our enthusiasm for the challenges of life. Thirdly, to being a conscientious, effective and competent doer, not just an audience, monitor or dreamer.  Lastly, persevere in life, no matter what challenges come our way.

As His work in progress, one day each of us will end our journey here on Earth.  Only God can offer a promise of  a “Forever-Forever Land” that we can believe in and hopefully accept.  That’s the place He calls Heaven, where we’ll spend eternity in the child-like enthusiasm with Him, and demonstrate once and for all what being “grown up” truly means.

Many blessings your way.

1 Cor 13:11; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Rom 12:2; Philippians 3:13-15;