Can God's Calling Become Distorted?

I’ve always been impressed with Jonah, the Old Testament prophet who refused to go to Nineveh to preach God’s message of salvation. Jonah refused God’s call because he felt ambivalent about what would happen to him if he failed or was successful.

By reading the book, it appeared that Jonah never accepted that God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness were unrestricted and open to all who believed and repented. Cautious optimism for God loving the people of Nineveh was challenging for Jonah.

Sometimes a reality check is necessary to determine if cautious optimism distorts your thoughts and feelings which then prevents you from being accountable for what you could be or do for God. As you think about the Lord Jesus Christ being Savior for all people, rid yourself of any distortions of clarity.

Then you will be joyful in your heart and soul by being able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord God.

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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

~James 1:4 New International Version 

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How Does Emotional Maturity Affect a Relationship

Compatibility is a requirement for securing relationships. It provides the incentive for commitment to grow. Infatuation may draw a couple together, but compatibility binds their hearts together. Mutual love for each other builds faithfulness and loyalty.

A crucial factor determining compatibility is emotional maturity. 

Maturity does not always correspond to the chronological age. Some children possess maturity well beyond their age while some adults may never mature. Relationships fail when an imbalance exists between maturity and expectations.

Maturity is synonymous with being able to fulfill responsibilities, like meeting the emotional and physical needs of others. How is maturity obtained? Listen to James 1:4: “You must learn to endure hardships so that you will be completely mature, not lacking anything.” Sacrifice and suffering promote maturity, so do not give up.              

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And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.

~1 Peter 5:10 Revised Standard Version

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Milestones of Commitment: Don't Turn Back! - Part 1

A milestone for Jesus came at Gethsemane as he realized his hour had come. There could be no turning back, no cowardice, even as suffering and death were immanent. A milestone is a cross-over point from which turning back is not seen as a good choice. The burning bush was a cross-over event for Moses, in both his personal life and his relationship with God.

When an infant begins to walk, walking becomes preferential except when crawling is necessary. Children experience several milestones – physically, emotionally, and mentally – which are natural occurrences for each child. After adolescence, adults continue to progress through different but predictable developmental stages.

Jesus began his ministry at age thirty, which is a major milestone for most people, as youthful looks begin to take on an older look and a new stage of development is set in motion. The good news is, maturity takes a step forward for most people. It pleases God to see his people mature and become the individuals he intends to bless.