Growing Up Together

Maturity in Christ isn't a solo journey. Paul envisions a whole congregation 'attaining to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood.' We grow up *together*.

That's hard for us. We like our independence. We curate our own spiritual feeds, pick our favorite podcasts, build our own quiet-time routines. All good things — but incomplete. Because maturity in Scripture is never just about you and Jesus. It's about you, Jesus, and His people.

Think about it: children grow in families. Athletes grow on teams. Musicians grow in ensembles. Why would disciples be any different? We sharpen each other. We challenge each other. We carry each other when the road gets steep.

A mature believer isn't someone who knows the most or prays the longest. A mature believer is someone who loves well, serves faithfully, and refuses to let others walk alone. Maturity shows up in how you handle conflict, how you forgive, how you celebrate someone else's win.

If you've been coasting spiritually, maybe it's because you've been coasting alone. God didn't design you to grow in isolation. He placed you in a body. And that body — with all its quirks and imperfections — is exactly where He intends to mature you.

You don't have to be perfect to grow. You just have to show up.