Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Young adulthood ranges approximately between 20 years to 30 years of age. It is an intermediate period where an individual grows into an independent adult and becomes financially independent, assumes responsible roles and establishes romantic relationships. Young adults are vibrant versatile visionaries who look forward to a successful life ahead of them. Some of the common mistakes that young adults commit are reckless lifestyles, breaking the law, festering unhealthy habits, or poor financial, relationship and career decisions. It is easy for young adults who are successful to become big-headed.
‘By the time he realizes that his father was right, he has a son who thinks that he is wrong’.
Ageing is not optional. We grow older everyday but spiritual growth is a choice. We find many have aged naturally but have not grown out of the milk bottles and nappies spiritually. When we think that we ‘know it all and we don’t need any advice, counsel or correction’, we are spiritually young adults who refuse to grow. When the head is puffed and the heart is fat, there is no room for growth.
There was a rich young ruler who came to Jesus for sound advice but he rejected the counsel of Jesus as he had no room to grow. At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth (Mark 10:22). He was a spiritually bigheaded egoist.
Spiritual growth requires searching, stretching and surrendering.
Young-Adult Christianity:
1. Search: Young adulthood is an age where our mind is sharp, memory is excellent and versatile. Spiritually we must remain sharp. “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” – Henry Ford. “Search from the book of the LORD, and read” (Isaiah 34:16a). Search the scriptures with humility to learn, understand, correct and change.
2. Stretch: Soreness of muscles after a gym workout means that there is structural damage in proteins which would stimulate the body to rebuild the muscle with increased strength and size. Spiritual growth requires stretching, soreness and structural reconstruction. Never be stuck with ideologies but be ready to grow deeper, higher and wider with the help of the Holy Spirit.
3. Surrender: A brilliant young adult will stop growing once they think they know it all. It is the same with a growing Christian as well. We must never fall for the trap that we know it all! Surrender should be an integral part of everyday prayer.
We stop growing when we stop learning and spiritually, we will remain stubborn young adults when we stop searching, stretching and surrendering.
Romans 12:16b Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Prayer: Father God, I desire to know you more and more and am willing to search, stretch and surrender to keep growing. Correct me and change me to grow everyday in you and with you. Amen.
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