Are We Any Better?

 It seems to me that God appreciates maturity.  He wants us to be better, he wants us to grow up.
 
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” says  2 Peter 3:18. 
 
And the neat thing is I think we all would like to be more mature. But, there is little as frustrating as watching the years of my life go by, and realize that I have less time to mature, and still a long way to go. 
 
Why is there a gap? Why is it that I know the things I need to be, and that it is different than the reality of who I am? Well certainly it isn’t because I don’t know things. Despite many attempts to the contrary, most of our lack of maturity is not education. We aren’t going to read a nifty article and then be mature. If that were the case no one would have to diet AGAIN. Behavior change is hard.
 
It is even more difficult because we don’t know what to focus on. Advertisements tell us we should be happier, healthier, better served and really good looking to boot. Culture reinforces a number of those values. I should work on my teeth being whiter, my body being more svelte, my consumer decisions being more wise, and my food choices yummier. I also have other lists of ways Bill does not measure up: I should have a cleaner office, more obedient children, and a better lawn. I need to read more, work more, and be quieter in public. Frankly, church doesn’t seem to directly help my list, it simply adds more: I should volunteer more, give more, sacrifice more, and be in better relationship with people and with God. Frankly, many of the things on my list are really good, but I get lost in all the ways I don’t measure up.
 
I have been searching for a list of priorities. I have been hoping God would give me better focus, not only for me, but for my ministry as well. I am still searching, but in my search Christ’s letter to the church in Thyatira has loomed large:
            I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.               - Revelation 2:19
 
That seems to me to be a pretty good list. Let’s break it down-
 
Deeds – Doing something is important. Belief and intention is not good enough.
Love – Without which, everything is nothing (See 1 Corinthians 13)
Faith – Not only in terms of trusting God, but I imagine this is my faithfulness too.
Service – It isn’t about me. It must involve serving others.
Perseverance – Keep on keeping on. Something about showing up when others are taking off.
Doing More Than You Did – I need to just be more than I have been. Progress counts!
 
I would love your feedback on these items too. Let me know what you think.
 
Bill