The Realm of the Responsible by E.L. Holley

The childish desire to be cuddled, cared for, and be the recipient of every desire is normal -- for a child. Eventually, these desires must be put in perspective and an awareness of responsibilities emerge. Paul used this illustration and concluded that there came a time when he put away childish things. He became a man.

The tendency to make the church into a 'bless me' club is ever present. Always, there are one or two immature souls who feel they are entitled to unending attention and care. I've actually known people -- grown in years  -- who would feel offended if someone didn't make arrangements for them to get to church! Grown in years? Yes, but immature.

There is a blessing in achieving a degree of maturity. When we become concerned for others, we learn the joy of helping. When we realize the cleanliness of the church facilities in dependent upon the efforts of all the congregation, we're on our way toward laying aside our childishness. When we realize there are others who are lost, we can enjoy the privilege of helping them find the Way, the Truth and the Life.

As we begin to take our place in the realm of the responsible, we make our way to the altar to pray with and for others. The joy of our salvation is restored. Fulfillment overwhelms us! Our experience with God is enhanced every time we hear the cry of a newborn baby in the altars of the church. Their tongue is a new one and their sounds unintelligible, but we know when another has been born of the Spirit. And, we know a joy the immature, uninvolved, disinterested, soul will ever know.

When it dawns on us that we don't have to go to Harvard (no ill will toward our Harvard graduates) in order to witness, we're reaching a new high in God. The simplicity of it all overwhelms us. A witness simply relates what he knows to have happened. Since we were there when "it" happened, and above all "it" happened to us, we can tell it as no one else can! It's our testimony. No one else's. If it is given, we must give it. And since we can, we will. Again and again!

Talk about maturity. We have not only entered the realm of the responsible, at this point, we walking in it! On our own two feet, guided by the Savior Himself! And, as we continue to walk in Him and with Him, we will one day step behind the veil into eternity. There, we will walk with Him eternally and we'll know what "blessing" really is! From responsibility to eternal redemption -- true maturity in Jesus Christ!