Simply keeping up with our own responsibilities and not deferring them to others is a huge feat for many. Maturity does require us to pick up after ourselves as it were. But maturity doesn’t end here. We continue to grow in maturity by considering one another and not just looking out for ourselves. And, to be sure, this plays out in big and small ways.
For instance, while it’s important to maintain our side of the street and focus on the story God has given us, we must not forget everyone else has their own profound and meaningful story as well. Certainly, it’s good to share what God is up to in our story. But at some point we must also actively listen and consider how we might serve a supporting role in the stories of others as well.
And closer to home this might be our intentional acts of service to bless others. Perhaps it’s small household chores that serve our family just because. Or maybe it’s yard work for a neighbor that’s not our responsibility but we do anyway. Or we might serve our small group or church family in many unseen ways simply because we want to bless them.
Whatever it looks like, considering one another is the maturity of no longer being selfish. A good first step is certainly learning how to stand on our own two feet and not expecting others to take care of things rightly within the domain of our responsibility. And the next crucial step is looking out for the interest of others as well.
We remain immature and selfish when we’re just concerned about taking care of ourselves.
In the end, continue to uphold your responsibilities and take care of the things that are yours to do. And remember also to consider one another. True maturity serves the needs of others and doesn’t just look out for its own selfish duties, however noble.
