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I've noticed a sort of theme running through my reading lately. Can I say, "ouch"?...

I am kind of a "free-spirit" type person, and I have a hard time staying on task. The word "diligence" has also popped up quite a bit in my reading lately. I have a hard time with regulation.

We are told in the word that we need to become mature in Christ, that we are in a state of becoming, that we are to reflect Christ, and to shine as lights (Phillippians 2:15) in this world. I think upon reflection, we can all agree that simply growing older and gaining gray hair does not automatically equal maturity in Christ. Being saved X many years does not automatically equal maturity. As much as I do not naturally like regulation and discipline, I have to acknowledge the truth and wisdom I am finding lately in my reading.

Ponder this; to grow up to live a 'go with the wind' lifestyle does not take any special training or regulation or discipline...but to grow up, say to be a future King or Queen or President of a Nation- if parents knew a son was destined to rule a nation- they would take great care in outlining a scope of training and preparation for such a weighty calling. Training in manners, care and deportment of self in public, character, public speaking...mastery of politics, history, world events...All these things would ensure the son grows up having a full array of skills to qualify him to carry out his job. In contrast, to grow up to wander the roads, working time to time in small towns- living a vagabond life...would take no training.

growing to be lights in a dark world, growing to be conformed to the image of the Son, growing to be useful in the Father's hand-it must involve some kind of discipline, training, conformity...

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." -Philippians 3:13-16

reaching forward- not the picture of sloth, actually Paul seems to be painting the image of an athlete, again the opposite of slothfulness. I see the word mature in there, too.

I find staring at me lately, an exhortation to walk in newness of life, to shake off that sluggishness of soul and to meet with the Father out of obedience and love.