On Maturity

In the vast fabric of human interactions, who hasn't been stung by the label "childish"? Or felt the weight of a glance that silently screamed "grow up"? Such moments, wrapped in the cloak of criticism, can ignite a firestorm of emotions. Do they lift you, or do they anchor you in shadows? I'd wager that for many, these words sting, leaving an indelible mark.

Now, let's get real for a second. In the hustle and bustle of our lives, there's this loud clamour for "maturity." Why? Because there's magic in maturity. It's the kind of magic that makes you stand tall—not just in stature but in spirit. It's the kind of magic that resonates, that makes people stop and listen, and that commands respect. But what's the real tea on maturity? The Good Book, in its timeless wisdom, tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:11:

“When I was a child, I spoke, thought, and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” NLT

This scripture paints a vivid picture: childhood is marked by impulse, but maturity? That's all about introspection. In the age of tweets and trending topics, the lines of maturity are constantly being redrawn. Think about it. A tweet, fired off without a second thought, can spiral into a global conversation. And sometimes, not for the right reasons. Elon Musk, with his Twitter antics, shows us the sheer power of words in our hyper-connected age. But it's not just about the digital realm. Leaders like Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, are redefining maturity on the world stage, showing us that it's about empathy, about understanding, and about making tough calls when they matter the most.

"And here's the kicker: maturity isn't just about the number of candles on your birthday cake. It's not about the degrees on your wall or the zeros in your bank account. It's about character."

It's about the choices you make when the world is watching and when it's not. As we dance on the edge of tradition and transformation, it's time for a renaissance in our understanding of maturity. In this ever-evolving world, may we find the wisdom to chart our course with grace, grit, and gravitas.

Further to this, historically and traditionally, maturity has been linked to age and experience. However, the words in Job 32:7–9 teach otherwise. It states:

"I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But it is the spirit [b] in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 9 It is not only the old who are wise, not only the elderly who understand what is right." NLT

The passages from Job underline that although wisdom can be attained through experience and advancing years, these are not the only routes to it. True wisdom—the type that distinguishes right from wrong and grasps life's deeper complexities—is a gift from God. Anyone who is in sync with the spirit of the Almighty, regardless of age, can access it.

As a whole, the insight gleaned from the pointers shared might be used as a warning in the modern world to avoid discounting the viewpoints and insights of the younger generation on the grounds that they are immature or inexperienced. It also emphasises the notion that wisdom isn't simply about information or experience but also about comprehension, discernment, and a relationship to a higher reality.

Current social media platforms, such as Twitter, demonstrate the power and hazards of quick communication. True maturity, as evidenced by leaders such as Jacinda Ardern, transcends age or accolades; it is about character and decisions. As we stand at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, it's critical to remember that maturity isn't just about how we respond to the world but also about how we influence it for the better. It is about making tough calls. True maturity in leadership is also about having the fortitude to make challenging decisions when they are most needed. Ardern's swift and decisive actions during the COVID-19 crisis, including implementing early lockdowns and stringent border controls, were testament to this. While such decisions were tough and came with economic implications, they showcased a leader prioritising the well-being of her people over short-term gains or popularity. In conclusion,

"Measure not the quality of a man’s reasoning by the content of his age, but by the age in his content." -Evans Owusu

May the Lord grant us wisdom, Amen!