Ephesians 4:14-15

Extended Adolescence

Movie actors like Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell and Jack Black might not be household names for all of us. They are, however, leading men who have starred in successful films over the past decade or more. And they have something else in common. Much of their success has come from portraying adult males who refuse to grow up.

The popularity of such characters in movies and on TV is something that social observers have begun talking about. Many believe their popularity is a reflection of a larger trend. Google the words, “Extended Adolescence,” and you’ll have plenty to read. The term, “Extended Adolescence,” describes, in part, the choice of some young adults to avoid the traditional responsibilities of adulthood for as long as possible.

This devotional thought, however, is not about social trends that come and go. It’s about you and me and our relationship with God. When it comes to our spiritual maturity, how many times have you and I opted for “Extended Adolescence”? How many times have you and I pretended to be clueless children just so we wouldn’t have to confront what we knew to be God’s will for our lives?

We’re good at that, you see. You and I are very good at creating for ourselves a make-believe world where our accountability to God is not very clear and where God is not very serious about the lives we live. In this way, we try to put a smiley face on what is nothing less than blatant, sinful rebellion.

God could have reacted to our defiant behavior with banishment. Instead he sent his Son. Jesus became our Substitute. Where you and I pretended not to know the will of God, Jesus followed God’s will perfectly in our place. Where you and I made childish excuses, Jesus stepped forward and did what had to be done. He suffered and died on our behalf.

And now, through faith in Christ, all is forgiven. All is washed away. And here’s the breathtaking point. It’s God’s very rescue of our souls that empowers us to grow up, to abandon our childish ways, to bring our extended adolescence to an end.