I used to think being an adult meant you could do whatever you want.

 

I don’t think that anymore.

When our generation sees the worst mass shooting in history, it cannot possibly mean everyone over a certain age reacts however they want. Divided over who deserves judgement. Condemning and frantic, hate and fear guiding the way.

 

No. I think being an adult means restraint. Suspending what we think we know. Acting on what we do:

 

We rarely regret loving.

 

When we serve and pray and lay down our lives, we are most accurately representing the Most High.

 

When opinions and experiences contradict, we honor others above ourselves.

 

And we refuse to play God.

And those of us who know Jesus and believe His Word do even more restraining. We know this isn’t Heaven and until Heaven comes to earth, slices of Hell will have their say.

 

So we bring Heaven into it all.

 

We pray and comfort and grieve and serve. We do our part to show a watching world what a little bit of Shalom looks like. Because we have the Creator of Shalom living inside us. So we restrain our instincts and opinions and reactions in favor of shining Light into darkness.

 

No, I don’t think being an adult means doing whatever you want.

 

Now I think it means becoming who you were created to be.