Becoming an adult. Everyone does it but questions remain. Questions like when? And how?

We refer to childhood and adulthood as if they are completely separate identities or phases. But are they really? Is there an “Aha” moment where one steps over the line of childhood and enters into adulthood, leaving all his or her childish ways behind?

Growing up I always pictured I would see myself as an adult “when” I reached a certain milestone. “When” I am old enough to vote. “When” I graduate from university. “When” I move out on my own. “When” I have a career. “When” I get married. “When” I have a family. I always equated life experiences as the thing, which would propel me into adulthood.

But as these and other milestones pass me by, I'm discovering adulthood has more to do with maturity than age. And it has more to do with taking personal responsibility for my actions than anything else. How many children in adult's skin have you met? I can think of a few. Those who have reached all the milestones but whose maturity is still…well, not as mature.

As I'm slowly learning what it really means to be an adult, I'm also slowly learning to appreciate adulthood as it relates to maturity.

Becoming an adult isn't referenced in Scripture as much as growing in maturity, so I'm led to believe this is the more important goal in life for the spiritually minded. In fact, the objective of spiritual maturity is to make Christ the beginning and end of one's faith. Maturity is not so much a milestone as a lifelong goal—one where life and faith are centred on a personal and growing relationship with God.

It's funny how up until recently I thought the biggest shift in my thinking and in my life would be the transition from child to adult. Now I realize just how minor that concern was. Since shifting my cares from reaching arbitrary life milestones to knowing Christ in a deeper, more mature way, I'm not as afraid of failing. I'm learning to accept my life may not turn out the way I hope, but as long as my focus is on Christ I can be certain I'm on the path to maturity.

References:

• Mark 4:26-29
• Hebrews 6:1
• 1 Corinthians 14:20
• 2 Corinthians 13:8-9