Teeter-Totter Training

Let me paraphrase I Corinthians 13:11 - "When I was a child, I spoke like a child...I understood as a child...I thought as a child...and I acted as a child.  But, when I grew up, I PUT AWAY childish things."

When I was a kid, we used to play on teeter-totters.  (Kids today don't know what I'm talking about!)  It was fun to keep the other kid dangling and hanging up high--unable to get down.  We also loved to drop 'em down hard--letting them crash to the ground.  But, being able to keep perfectly balanced with the other kid was a real challenge.

The grown-up (Christian) version of that game differs a great deal from the child's version. When you mature in your faith:  You will speak words that will lift up people--not put them down.  You will understand how to play by Jesus' rules.  You'll think good things about others.  You'll act kindly and be gentle--showing mercy and grace.  Also, you will put away criticisms and condemnation.  Lastly, you'll play fair and try to lead a balanced life.

So when I feel or hear myself starting to get NEGATIVE and getting down on myself or putting others down--I can spring back up and lift them up with a POSITIVE word of affirmation.

Life has its UP's and DOWN's...just be aware and play fair!  And, remember, Christ lifts up the humble, but puts down the proud.

TIMING & MATURITY

God's TIMING and your MATURITY must "marry" one another before you can "conceive" or "birth" your CHILD of PROMISE!  Your dream/vision is 1st conceived in your spirit, but it takes time for it to be birthed (become visible for all to see).

In my earlier years as a Christian, I found it rather easy to know what God wanted me to do, but I often mis-timed when!  Just like Sarah and Abraham:  They knew God promised them a child; so, they waited and waited and WAITED!  Sarah grew IMPATIENT, so she devised her own plan.  Abraham slept with her handmaiden and birthed a child out of wedlock (Ishmael), which really complicated their lives and caused a lot of heartache.  BUT God kept His promise--later Isaac was born.  [See:  Genesis Chapters 16-17]

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, a TIME for every PURPOSE...".  We need to MATURE in Christlike character before we'll be able to see our dreams and passions manifest in our lives.  We must 1st develop our faith--add to our faith patience--and many other qualities--before we become mature enough to handle our "child of promise."

I Corinthians 13:11 says, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought like a child, but when I became MATURE, I did away with childish things."  (Paraphrased)

Keep on GROWING in Christ....keep BELIEVING His promises!  Watch your dreams, and the desires of your heart, come true.