spiritual maturity

This afternoon I wondered about the periods of silence that often occur in our relationship with the Lord. The Lord put many thoughts in my mind about His relationships with us, which I’d like to share below;

I relate to children as children. They are concerned with themselves and I relate to them about themselves. I understand their motives and viewpoints are more self-centered than adults, but I don’t chastise children for this. I know they will expand their viewpoint as they grow up, and this will change their motives. I look forward to each spurt of growth when I can relate to My children in a broader way.

If a child remains self-centered and fails to move towards maturity I do not continue to relate to him as in the past. As a parent may distance himself from childish behavior to encourage necessary growth, so I also distance Myself to encourage the growth I have put in the child. Like DNA, maturity is within every child. It then becomes a choice whether or not the growing child remains concerned with only himself, or chooses to expand his concerns and interests to others.

As with children, so it is with spiritual growth. What once was a tight fellowship with Me can become a long, disturbing period of silence. Many will feel forsaken, as if I am far away. But the change in the nature of our relationship is a prelude to a deeper, more intimate relationship. It is meant to take the less mature Christian’s eyes off what he wants and ask the questions “What does God want? What does God like, personally?” and “What does God dislike?” These questions are the beginning of turning one’s spiritual relationship from being self-centered to broadening, and opening up to matters not generated within his own heart and mind.

I created Man to fellowship with him, not just about how he feels and what he wants . . . I want to share My heart with him. I f a man will not become discouraged in seeking Me, He will find that I have a lot to share with him.