Tuesday, July 27

Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.
—Proverbs 9:6

It seems like we're always trying to grow up. Just when we think we've "got it," we suddenly find ourselves swimming around in the baby pool of childish behavior. We lose our temper, or spend our money foolishly, or make a decision without thought of consequences, or give in to selfish indulgences, or speak words of passion we later regret.

When we're acting immaturely, we are eagerly listening and responding to our inner impulses with abandon. They seem right, and we think they will make us feel right. We hardly stop long enough to breathe in the faint fragrance of insight, much less give quiet thought to the proper response to the urgency we are experiencing.

The word mature comes from the Latin word maturus meaning "ripe." As we lay aside immaturity, we become ripe for the greater possibilities of life. We slowly shed the constricive garments that hold us captive to our emotions, and find ourselves opening up to a deeper and more insightful life.

When immaturity holds you in its grasp, you may find yourself wishing for just that insightful life. You may notice that what you want is to halt your puerile pranks. You may long to step off the endlessly revolving track of your charged emotions. As soon as you become aware of this desire for growth and maturity, embrace the feeling with all your heart. Let yourself become like a soft peach in summer sun, waiting in stillness for the warm wisdom of God to bring you to the fullness of life.

O God, let the random nuggets of wisdom wend their way through the emotional shards of my soul until a deeper breath begins and I walk with understanding.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2003.