Measurements

Christians--the human race--is in to measurement. We are always trying to measure something: how good a team is, what my grade is, how well I'm doing on my job, how big of an impact am I having, am I doing as well as someone else. The list is endless. In Christian circles it can be deadly. Often, we try to measure Christian growth and maturity by some man-made standard. We measure ourselves by ourselves. After all, we're not going to develop a standard that makes us look bad. So we establish a standard that we can meet and entitle it "The Spiritual." That, of course, is ridiculous, a lack of understanding of how God works. God's tool for maturing a saint is patience. He never has any of us on the same level or learning the same lesson. And He is not locked into some human timetable. He never rushes anything. Spiritual maturity is not measured by where you are on some man-made scale, but by your heart attitude--are you seeking to constantly draw near to God, to become more and more like Him? God just asks that we become faithful seekers. That is His standard of measurement for spiritual growth.
And as far as measuring up to the calling God has given me? Whatever sphere of influence He has placed you in, when you have "measured up"--done everything He wants you to do in that sphere--He'll move you to the next one. Until then--until "moving day"--the standard is the same. Be faithful. Don't condemn others because they are not measuring up to your standards. Don't become disheartened because you are not on some level of spirituality you've imagined is the end all of spiritual power. Just keep seeking Him. That's the standard that meets the ultimate criteria: "Well done, good and faithful servant."