1 Timothy 5:9-10 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
Last night at men’s group we talked about being a mature Christian. First, we all decided that we knew of very few people we would call mature; and second, we confessed none of us were mature. I think some of us looked at the quest for maturity as a lot of work and thought, why bother. The threshold is pretty high.
Paul set the threshold high when it came to widows in the church. If we’re to read the above and use it as a standard, then few women come to my mind. But if that is the goal (so to speak) then my question is, why not? Why not be a widow who meets the age and has been married only once; who has a good reputation for serving; who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, cared for the afflicted and devoted herself to every good work? Why not be a mature Christian, even if no one else seems to want to be?
Maturity is not a rank or really even a privilege; maturity is an indicator of the depth of devotion one has for the Savior. Maturity is an indicator of the level of influence of the culture upon us. Maturity is the result of life having kicked the crap out of us and we find ourselves crap-less, selfless, and humble. Maturity is not what you say you are but how you live in relationship to Jesus Christ.
Why bother? Because the world is dying in need for such people. Our families and churches; our cities and towns need such people. Our places of employment or study need such people. Maturity is obvious to others.
Father in Heaven,
May I mature before You, in You, and through You. May I not see maturity as an end in itself but may I prove useful to You more and more as You reach into the lives of people who are dying for a Savior. Help me to live side by side with You and to keep in step as You fulfill Your desires for me – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.
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