A moment ago as I was sitting on my dining room floor unsuccessfully and excitedly attempting to assemble the Barbie 3-Story Dream Town House my daughter received for Christmas, I questioned the child-like glee I experienced as I applied the stickers to the tiny accessories and popped the furniture together while one of my favorite scriptures crept into my mind to taunt me and my fascination with a child's toy, so now, I have to take a recess to reread the scripture in order to determine whether there is something the Holy Spirit is trying to express to me. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I thought like a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. When you read this for yourself, start at the beginning of the chapter. It is so beautiful that it is enjoyable reading!
Barbie dolls were my all time favorite toy as a child, and I garner great enjoyment, now, sharing the love of this iconic toy with my daughter! There are a few questions, however, that remain unanswered Who enjoys them more? When I purchase Lili a Barbie related item, is it truley for her to enjoy or secretly for me? Before Lili was born and came of Barbie age, I had repressed my love for Barbie for years in order to put the things of childhood behind me as the verse hints, but now, that I have an excuse to play like a child, I'm using it! To clarify, I do not believe this scripture is refering to toys and play when it mentions"childish ways." In fact, I am confident it is speaking of spiritual childishness or immaturity. I love how Paul artfully concludes his statement concerning love with this thought in order to help our minds connect with the fact that true love as described in verses 4-7 is the height of spiritual maturity, so get out your childhood toys, and instead, put away impatience, meaness of all kinds, bragging and pride, rudeness, selfishness, quick-temperedness, grudges, distrust, losing hope, and giving up on people because those things are signs of true spiritual immaturity!
Although I will not admit immaturity because of my Barbie love, I must confess that after honestly evaluating my life and my relationships with those in it, I still have some maturing to work on in the New Year! You do the same..honestly evaluate your life and relationships based on the criteria set forth in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and determine what "childish ways" you need to work on putting behind you in 2010 to continue down the path to spiritual maturity. Happy New Year and Many wishes for God's Blesings in your life in 2010!