Happy Wednesday! Have you ever negotiated with a child or as a child? If so, maybe it was a negotiation about bedtime or what to eat. Maybe it was a television show or about what to wear. There are also times when we negotiate as adults with adults. Those discussions can be like you are having a conversation with a child and other times there are well thoughtout strategies that make you ponder and seek the best solution. Today, Paul begins 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 11-12 with the some reflective imagery of him as a child. Join me as we continue reading this chapter.

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.  ¹² Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.^[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 NLT

Paul, referred to himself in these verses to help the Corinthian church understand, that he was once like them, but now he has matured. Not that he is fully mature/perfect, but as he grows in love and in his spiritual gifts God continues to give clarity. He also notes, there will be a time when all things will be known with perfect clarity.

Sisters and brothers, as a child I would always negotiate with my mother. I would seek what I perceived to be the best option for me. I couldn’t understand all the reasons for my mother’s “no”. However, when she said “no” or “because I said so”, I knew the negotiation was over – she was patient with me. As an adult and parent, I can clearly see the reason for my mother’s “no” and in hind sight there were things I wish she had said “no” to, but I had to experience those situations or “opportunities” to hit the roadblocks that helped me to mature.

Today, we may not have all the answers and we may not see everything with clarity, but we know the God that does. Sisters and brothers, I don’t know what you are struggling with, but may I encourage you to grow from childlike reasoning and trust that God has the best answers for you. If so, consider the following questions:

• Will you trust Him with every area of your life and allow Him to mature your faith and trust in Him?
• What areas of faith do you need to mature in?
• What areas in your relationship with the Lord do you need to mature in?

Lord, help us to put away childish things and lead us to maturity in you.

Father God, thank you for today. Thank you for leading us in the right way. Thank you for not asserting yourself with anger and hostility, but with love and soft reasoning that we can understand. Lord, thank you for the “no’s” to some of the prayers we prayed. Lord, you know what is best for us and what we need. Lord, forgive us for the times when we were angry and selfish about the things that matter to you. Lord, forgive us for our sins (known and unknown). Lord, open our hearts to receive more from you. Lord, lead us down the path of maturity in our faith, in our decisions, in our dreams/purpose, in our conversations with you and others. Lord, stretch us and grow us in our relationship with you and your church. Lord, we pray for churches around the world who are seeking to please you and bring glory to your name. Lord, change us and equip us to be the body part that you use to strengthen the church and the world. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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