Living all of life as a relationally mature (RM) child is extremely hard for and on everyone, including myself as that child. I know the rules and laws of life. Both spiritual laws and laws of the land. However I find that I don’t live out those laws and rules. Since I know the “laws of life” I often teach them and make certain that those in my spheres of life and influence know about them. I enjoy associating with those who talk about the rules of life. I feel that I am doing my duty by telling others about the rules of life…
However, as a RM child, these laws and rules are external and not internal rules that govern a RM adult or parent. Therefore, if I am a RM child, those in my care will see me as a hypocrite and will pay little attention to what I say, no matter how loudly or often I repeat these laws or any new ones I may learn. Let’s just take one simple rule that we are all familiar with…. The Law of Love…. John15:17
Now the Law of Love is quite simple… Jesus taught it! Everyone seeks it… BUT, very few live it. And Why is this??? Because, as a RM Infant, Child, or even Adult; Life is mostly about me.. mee… ME>> I am actually not capable of living out the “Law of Love” until I mature into a RM Parent.. It is only as a relationally mature parent that I am truly able to love myself and all those around me. Even then this life will not be complete unless I am alive spiritually by having the Spirit Jesus gives me living inside of me. It is interesting to note that I am able to have the Spirit of God living in me as a child; However, I will love as a child and not as the relationally mature adult and parent I was created to be. Being “saved” doesn’t mean being relationally mature.
I picture Jesus as God in man form. A totally relationally mature Person who had it all together! As a RM Parent, we call Him our Father. Life was and still is all about His children and not about Himself: He came and lived among us and attuned to us and went through all the stages of maturity…. From the womb to the tomb! I am to follow His lead and mature through all the stages; Infant… Child… Adult… Parent… Elder… As an Infant he was cared for by His parents. As a Child He was debating law with the elders in the synagogue. As an Adult, He listened to His mother and worked for her in performing His first miracle of turning the water into wine at the wedding celebration. As a Parent, he called many up from where they were stuck in life and had them physically follow Him and live the examples they saw him doing every day. He was teaching by being the Living Word! And, as the ultimate example He gave His life for us. He is now our Elder Brother in heaven who cares for us through His Holy Spirit who lives in us!!!
Life is very hard to live while living as a relational child under the law. Live is very freeing and rewarding while living ALL of life as a relational parent filled with God’s Holy Spirit!!!