Growing up and Choices

It is a well known fact that with age comes wisdom. I learned this first hand...

I was talking to someone of a considerable older age than me. We were discussing the pros and cons of growing up. It puts pressure between parent and child, which pushes the child to independence. Both reactions are natural but can be, at the same time very painful, confusing, and even tragic. As we discussed this topic, the well respected elder looked at me and said "First, find yourself, love yourself, respect yourself. Secondly respect and love others. Lastly, follow your heart through prayer and God's word." I learned a valuable lesson that day. I learned to love myself.

Growing up is about finding yourself. Everyday we ask ourselves these questions: What am I doing with my life? What is my purpose? Am I making the right decisions? Should I get that job or go to college? Should I date him or her or stay single? Questions fill our minds until we go practically insane.

Mark 12:31 "...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Clearly we must love ourselves first before we can love someone else. It is not pride to love yourself. It is simply accepting and thanking God for his creation. Being unsatisfied with your personality, looks, and talents is like telling God he didn't do a good job. He created you special, and He does have a purpose for you.

Instead of choices being based on what others want, think, or assume, our choices should be based on our desires given to us by God. They are based on solid relationships through Godly council. They are based on prayer and God's word. Once this lesson is learned we can be free to make choices that will propel us into our "God made" future. Our choices become us and through them we find open doors to God's will and blessing.