mature?

One of the greatest things I have heard lately is this:

Knowledge does not equal maturity.

 This rang true to my spirit a couple of weeks ago when I heard it for the first time and it actually made sense.  I have probably heard some form of this exact quote many times before but this time was different. 

 In all my years as a Christian, [almost 15 since I got saved!!!] I have gained so much knowledge about the Lord.  I have dug deep into His word.  I have learned verses and scripture and have even learned how to walk the walk and talk the talk.  I have also experienced the Lord in awesome ways-like the day he met me on the country road.  I have encountered His healing and been present during remarkable miracles.  I have prayed in such ways that I felt His presence and have trembled alone in my bedroom as I cried out to God on many occasions.  I have taught my children how to pray and I believe, have practiced obedience in times of trial. 

I have the knowledge of how to do this thing and do it well.

And then came Mabel.  And with Mabel came maturity.

Or a maturing, rather. 

A time in my life when all that mattered was figuring out who God was to me.  Digging into the living God and tapping in to all He had for me.  The knowledge is wonderful.  It's essential for growth.  It's powerful.  But the maturing has little do to with the knowledge in the face of something so life altering. 

 Knowing the Word is the greatest foundation you can ever have as a Christian.  It's absolutely the most important thing you can do in your walk with the Lord.  I encourage you to hide it in your heart--because there may be days when all you can mutter are those words.  Nothing else makes sense.  And that is when the maturing comes.  It comes in the dark of night or the dead of day.  It comes unexpectedly.  While you are trying to figure out who you are or where God is-suddenly the Word comes alive and you mature to a place of greater understanding. 

The understanding.

That is the nature of the maturing process.  Not the knowledge itself but actually living that which you begin to understand. 

It's a beautiful mystery, indeed. 

The funniest thing in this entire process and often the hardest part for me is realizing that I thought I was mature in my faith all along, and in rolled a clap of thunder so astounding that it shook me to my core.  In that time, I realized that I had the knowledge to sustain me; the knowing that God was God and all would be ok...

but I needed the maturity and growth to pull me through this thing.

So of course, I opened up my arms and let the wave of mercy rush over me.  I opened the doors to my heart and have let the Lord pour Himself in and I have tasted Him like a velvet dessert. 

I have tasted His goodness.  His love.  His steadfast grace.

And I have begged for the maturing. 

That is where I am today. 

In the midst of a maturing that is long, yet rewarding.  In fact, I hope this is the first of many.  I hope that I can grow and not become comfortable in that growth.  I pray that the Lord will continue to do a work here in me.  Because no matter how much work I do, it's never going to be enough.

Only His grace is enough. 

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The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me;
thy steadfast love, O LORD,
endures for ever.
Do not forsake the work of thy hands.

Psalm 138:8

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