Today, I am 57. I’m reaching that age where you look in the mirror and think, “who is that old woman?!” I will confess that I’m still working on this adulthood thing. I’d say most of my grownup life I’ve been pretty responsible. Being in charge of a 40-bed wing of a big city hospital at the sagacious age of 20 tends to bring that out in you, that is, if you (and your patients) are going to survive. And believe me, there were times it could seem like an emotional and mental warzone.
Unfortunately, being responsible is not the same as being mature. Maturity, I am still learning, is a matter of jurisdiction over one’s own heart, and it will not exist in a vacuum. I mean, someone will be in control of it, to be sure. I’ve learned that growing up means accepting that “responsibility”, even when there is struggle involved:
While they were camped near the Jordan River on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, the LORD said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: When you cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, you must drive out all the people living there. You must destroy all their carved and molten images and demolish all their pagan shrines. Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy. You must distribute the land among the clans by sacred lot and in proportion to their size.
To take possession of what God has for me, I am invited (indeed, required) to co-labor with God in the conquest for my own heart. Here are just a few examples that need to be accomplished, which can be drawn from the above instructions to the Israelites:
- Idolatry, which comes in many forms and is basically anything we put before God, including “fear of man”, being more concerned about what people think of me than what God thinks.
- Allotment, which comes in the form of commitments of time, money, and emotional resources,
- Cleaning, which comes in the form of personal assessment and disposal, like offenses, ill-will, and ways of thinking (including about myself) which are contrary to what God thinks.
There is much, much more that can be and has been written about this topic of possessing my own heart. Evidently, it’s important to God also, since that is where He chooses to take up residence on this side of the Bible. We delay or neglect this area of maturity at our own peril, just as He mentions in the following verse:
But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live.
Whether we like it or not, the war is on. I guess that why He gave us some pretty good armor.
Numbers 33:50-55 Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I think the key here is obedience — just do what he says no matter how difficult. Even in your 20s, he placed you where you were needed and gave you the tools to endure and to minister. Fortunately, he always equips us for battle and delights in our obedience. Great post, and Happy birthday, young lady! ❤
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I’ll take that!!
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Happy Birthday Dawn
Great post
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You are more beautiful than the day I married you. Happy birthday, Dawn.
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(smile…)
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Happy Birthday! 🙂 ❤
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Happy birthday, Dawn! Never give up on possessing the Promise…
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Belated Happy Birthday. I can relate to your comments about maturity; I also feel inside about a third of my real age. J.
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Happy birthday dear blogger. Continue your wonderful writings that bless so many of us. 😀
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SMILE!
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Happy belated birthday, Dawn! It’s been a blessing to read your blog and your comments on my blog. May the Lord richly bless you in the coming year!
It’s funny, I’ve been mulling this over myself. I’m 34 and I still feel like a clueless 18-year old at times. I wonder why it seemed like my parents always seemed to be so “with-it” when it came to that adult stuff. 😉 Maybe someday my kids will ask me, “how did you manage it all so well?” But I’m doubtful…
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You shouldn’t be doubtful. Just wait until they say “…and I heard your voice coming out of my mouth!”
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Happy Birthday!!
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THANK YOU!! My daughter bought me a gift from Blue Apron here: https://therecoveringlegalist.com/2016/04/10/what-its-all-about/
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Oops. Let me try that link again: https://www.blueapron.com/account#announcements
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I marvel at God’s restraint. He gives us tasks to accomplish and never rushes in to take over in order for perfection to result. He allows us the privilege of participation with him, learning important lessons along the way. Happy belated birthday, Dawn! And thank you very much for becoming a follower of From the Inside Out. I pray you’ll find the posts meaningful and encouraging.
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Wish we were neighbors, but at least on the blogosphere….!
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