Don’t Be Childish; Go For Substance

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”
~1 Corinthians 13:11

There is a whole world of difference between a child’s reasoning process and that of an adult. Kids think in a particular manner. They are moved in distinctive ways by certain things. Children are attracted to that which is spectacular. They are enamored by noise and motion. They are captivated by that which merely shines and dazzles. They are not after substance. So, to get a child’s attention, all one needs is something that moves, glitters or makes some sound. You would notice that the child would be instantly drawn to it.

Unfortunately, this is the way most ‘grown-ups’ are.

A lot of religious folks are caught up in the excitement of the show and in the entertainment. They are just swayed by noise and spectacle. They are attracted to motion and activity. That’s plain childishness! They’re far from maturity.

Apostle Paul said he put childish ways behind him when he became a man. He is saying that when you become an adult, you become more concerned about influence and relevance. When you come of age, you’d be more focused on the essence and the substance of what you’re doing. When maturity sets in, you go for tangible results.

So, when you ask God the question- ‘what’s the point?’ like Elijah did, you are actually giving God a signal that you are no longer swayed by the glitter and dazzle of spectacle. You’re essentially telling God, “Look, I’m ready for bigger responsibilities.”

So when Elijah asked that, God got the signal. I imagine God thinking, “Okay, this man is no longer after the dazzle. He’s a strategic man. He’s a pragmatic man. He’s a thinker. He’s now more focused on results; so, he’s ready for the next level.”

I pray you get the lesson today. Don’t be childish; go for substance. Learn to put childish ways behind, and strive towards maturity.