Found this on a website – not sure who to attribute it to. It’s not mine but challenges me:
The key indicators of maturity are behavioral and not related to personality.
Mature people are accountable. They don’t get defensive. They are self-aware enough to be confident in themselves and their abilities but realistic about their shortcomings. They strive to see things in balance and while fully in tune with their feelings, they don’t allow their emotions to rule their behavior. They can both give and receive in a relationship and they are able to keep relationships long-term. They can take criticism and see it as an opportunity to improve. They keep their eye on what is important to them and don’t get bent out of shape about what isn’t. They understand that life isn’t fair and they don’t waste energy worrying about it or wishing things were different. They do the best they can and make the best of whatever happens. Mature people see life as an adventure and relish the moment.
My Pondering
Wise words!
And those mature disciples of Christ have access to supernatural with even greater opportunities, responsibilities and dare I say challenges.
“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:12
My Pondering
As Solomon teaches us, gifted by God as the wisest of all, we need to understand time has rhythm. Time has its seasons. A time for this and a time for that.
Time is limited and time is also eternal (a great paradox) as we are hybrid beings; possessing both a physical and spiritual composition.
I really like this quote:
If we lose sight of eternity because of a myopic focus on the present moment, we will lose out on the greater plan God has in store for us.
When seeking and living out your destiny, always remember that it is inextricably tied to eternity.
Tony Evans
Our relation to time is some combination of past, present and future.
Successful people keep those in appropriate contexts and prioritize. In our physical nature, the present is paramount. We need to live and love in the now. No time like the present. It’s a precious gift, so let’s use it well.
Timing is an essential ingredient in everything, in all facets of our life. Consider how time relates to these dichotomies:
Work / Rest
Now / Later
Yesterday / Tomorrow
Peace / War
Abundance / Scarcity
Summer / Winter
Spring / Fall
Progress / Setback
Success / Challenge
Pleasure / Pain
Up / Down
Present / Eternity
Thinking / Imagination
Math / Philosophy
More / Less
Health / Sickness
Strength / Weakness
Humility / Pride
Multiplication / Division
Plans / Serendipity
Effort / Providence
Faith / Works
Sleep / Woke
In proper context, in God’s timing, in understanding the big picture we need both sides. These aren’t rights / wrongs but rather good / great.
God’s speed is perfect under each particular circumstance. The better we can sync our actions to God’s speed, the greater our impact for His glory shall be. We have to realize there is a lot we can not control yet there is also a lot we can influence.
Ultimately, God’s way are higher then our ways. God way are mysterious at times. He is not bound by time yet He created it and thus relates to us by it.
Yes – we need to use our faculties and tools, yet ultimately we need to trust God for His timing, His provision, His way is best.
These three verses, one from the old and two from the new sum this up succinctly:
28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’
Acts 17:28a
As far as our lives:
“If it’s to be, it’s up to me and He. A lot more He than me but I thank God it’s We” – Kirk A Booher
In the aforementioned quote: God and I (or you) both represent the ‘We’. The first letter and capital ‘W’ is for ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Winner’ 🥇 God and the second letter, the connected smaller case ‘e’ which stands for ‘engaged’. Engaged has in position to by Groom and engaged as in actively serving. That ‘e’ is for me (or you).
My Prayer
Time is precious but not near as precious as You my God. Nothing compares to You. Please help me to use my time wisely.
Ponder this truth for a moment. Gold has stood the test of time since the beginning of recorded history. It has withstood everything yet remains incredibly valuable. Someday it may not and in Heaven, it will be pavement; street materiel.
And the street of the city was pure gold,
like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:21b
Furthermore, naked and empty we came into this world and such shall we leave with no tangible possession. We humans are souls with bodies not bodies with souls.
The point of this writing, is that to be holistically successful, we must properly prioritize because our time here on earth is finite. Yet, we born-again Christians have a future lease on a much better life awaiting. That should effect how live, right?
So what’s more valuable than gold, cash, diamond, houses, etc?
Love
Love
Relationships
Friendships
Faith
Hope
God’s word
God’s glory
Reputation
Integrity
Character
Service
Witnessing to the lost
Defending the the worthy
Discipliship
Santification
Reflection
Which of these are most essential to you?
This isn’t an exhaustive list, what might you add?
How is, or shall, this truth effecting your actions?
Pondering Life : Pursuing Success 