True Maturity
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God… Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:2 MSG)
If you’ve seen the movie “Grease,” then you probably remember Sandy—the quiet girl who’s made fun of by her friends for being a “goody-goody.” Eventually she decides to grow up and asks her friends to help her to become more like them. When this is accomplished, she feels accepted by her peers and is suddenly viewed as cool. Unfortunately, she didn’t grow up. She just stooped even lower.
Being mature doesn’t mean getting a car for your 15th birthday, having a baby at sixteen, or even being able to carry on a mature conversation with an adult. Romans 12:2 states that true maturity is developed when we are able to stay close to God. It isn’t based on popularity or knowledge … only wisdom.
This scripture also says to “fix your attention on God… unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to it’s level of immaturity.” Doing this won’t be easy. You will have to fight hard against the high school lifestyle, which may result in rejection from your friends. But so what? Wouldn’t you rather please God and allow him to bless you eternally than try to earn worldly acceptance from your so-called friends?
So would I.
TESSA HALL
Tessa Hall is a writing and coffee obsessed seventeen-year-old. She lives for Christ only and believes that it’s not just a religion, but a relationship. Her Young Adult, Christian fiction contemporary novel, Purple Moon, is currently under contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She also writes a blog called “Christ is Write” where she posts teen devotions, writing tips, book reviews, author interviews, and coffee recipes.
Tessa has always enjoyed writing and has a passion to spread God’s healing, love, and comfort to her peers through the written word. Some of her other passions include acting, film, music, photography, and dance. She has big dreams and high hopes for her future, but believes that God can grant the desires of her heart as long as she puts Him first. Her favorite scripture is Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG): “You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.”
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Worth the Wait
“I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born.” Isaiah 66:9 (NCV)
I held the newborn baby in my arms and marveled at her tiny fingers and toes. Soft skin and a delicate body took my breath away. As I stared into her peaceful face, I realized how precious a newborn baby is.
The birth of such a beautiful baby is not an easy thing. Months of discomfort and pain lead up to the anticipated arrival. However, if you ask any mother, she will say that the nine months was definitely worth the pain and waiting.
In Isaiah 66:9, God speaks about the pain of pregnancy and the joy of delivery. “I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born.” In the same way new birth comes after a time of pain, spiritual refreshment comes after times of trials and troubles.
When we experience sickness, death, divorce, loneliness, stress, or failure, God gives us this promise: I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born. When we trust God in our times of trouble, He will create something new within us. Through the pain, He will give us a new hope and faith that comes from learning to surrender to Him. Every season of struggle is an opportunity to see God bring about new spiritual life.
When that new life springs forth, you will realize it was worth the wait.
Thought for the day: Through the struggles that you face today, God is working to make you new, help you grow, or draw you closer to Him.
ASHLI ROUSSEL
Ashli Roussel, a nineteen-year-old sophomore at Harding University, is passionate about sharing the truth and love of the Lord through writing. She loves camping, running, playing the piano, and participating in missions. Most of all, she is passionate about knowing, following, and serving her Lord and Savior. Without Him, her stories would mean nothing.
Ashli has battled and overcome an eating disorder, which God used to teach her great truths about who He is and how He is involved in our struggles. Now she desires to comfort others with the comfort that she has received from God. Keep an eye out for Ashli’s regular articles on iBegat.com! (read more…)
Worth the Wait
“‘Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?’ says the LORD. ‘Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?’ says your God.” (Isaiah 66:9 NIV)
As I held the newborn baby in my arms, I marveled at her tiny fingers and toes. Her soft skin and delicate body took my breath away. As I stared into her peaceful face, I realized how precious a newborn baby is.
The birth of such a beautiful baby is not an easy thing. Months of discomfort and pain lead up to the anticipated arrival. However, if you ask any mother, she will say that the nine months was definitely worth the pain and waiting.
In Isaiah 66:9 (New Century Version), God speaks about the pain of pregnancy and the joy of delivery. “I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born.” In the same way that new birth comes after a time of pain, spiritual refreshment comes after times of trials and troubles.
When we experience sickness, death, divorce, loneliness, stress, and failure, God gives us this promise: I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born. When we trust God in our times of trouble, He will create something new within us. Through the pain, He will give us a new hope and faith that comes from learning to surrender to Him. Every season of struggle is an opportunity to see God bring about new spiritual life. When that new life springs forth, you will realize it was worth the wait.
ASHLI ROUSSEL
Ashli Roussel, a nineteen-year-old sophomore at Harding University, is passionate about sharing the truth and love of the Lord through writing. She loves camping, running, playing the piano, and participating in missions. Most of all, she is passionate about knowing, following, and serving her Lord and Savior. Without Him, her stories would mean nothing.
Ashli has battled and overcome an eating disorder, which God used to teach her great truths about who He is and how He is involved in our struggles. Now she desires to comfort others with the comfort that she has received from God. Keep an eye out for Ashli’s regular articles on iBegat.com! (read more…)
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