Miranda Karen

In all truth I tell you when you were young you put on your belt and walked where you liked 

but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands 

and somebody else will put a belt around you 

and take you where you would rather not go (John 21:18)

Is this the real vision of maturity?

 the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go? 

Just like the book of Acts where most of the people didn't want to do what the spirit told them to do. 

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" 

"Yes, Lord," he answered.The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.


Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem"    -(in other words: are you sending me to get killed?)

And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
- (Again, Im going to get killed Lord!)

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. (Acts 9:12-16)

And may your bones sing, no longer with pain, but with roses. —  Moira Egan

when we are securely rooted in a personal intimacy with the source of life we will go where we would rather not go. 

maturity gets you closer to the goal.