Fully Mature

In a conversation bemoaning people's lack of curiosity about others today, 81-year-old Ross shared an interesting observation he learned from someone he respected. “We are high in connectivity and low in connection.” People are more engaged on social media than ever, but they are making fewer connections because most posts are self-focused. He identified this as expressive individualism, where “what I have to say is more important than what I have to hear.” ​

​You may find it increasingly common to meet people who spend most of their time talking about themselves with little to no interest in learning about you or others. They enjoy answering your questions to learn more about them, but there is minimal reciprocity. This reduces the conversation to a one-sided trek into a chasm where you search for a tunnel to escape. Okay, it isn’t that bad, but it is telling.
 
Meditation
2 Corinthians 13:9—In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.
 
When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian believers, he addressed a group struggling with immaturity, envy, strife, worldly wisdom, boasting, immorality, and unawareness of his many challenges. In his second letter, Paul helped them understand that immaturity is caused by “measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves” (10:12). He rejoiced after learning that his first letter resulted in grief that turned to repentance (2 Co. 6:9). Their faith and spiritual strength were growing. Paul was encouraged to pray that their maturity would deepen.
            
It takes conscious effort to look intently at the concerns and needs of those around you. While it may be discouraging to realize that many you listen to do not return the favor, pray for them. Keep asking.  Continue listening unless you reach a point where there seems to be zero interest in you; then it may be time to move on. Disinterest can be a sign of immaturity and a signal that the time is not right to share. There is no shortage of people you can reach (the harvest is plentiful), so don’t lose heart. 
            
Sometimes, when I least expect it, someone reveals concern for me when there was little concern before. As questions are asked and listening occurs, a door opens in the relationship. When there is giving and receiving, both people flourish.

To mature means to gain trust, move past hurt, believe there are no hidden agendas, and see value in connection. To fully mature means to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and be like Jesus, who asked questions, listened, felt compassion, and expressed love, knowing He would later endure jeers, ears without hearing, and the unimaginable pain of rejection while tortured on a beam made to shame.  Final maturity will find us worshiping Him in heaven in our redeemed, joyful state—something to think about . . . in reveration. 
 
Inspiration
“The mature person meets the demands of life, while the immature person demands that life meet her demands.”—Dr. Henry Cloud in Necessary Endings

©2025 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)