Read 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:27

It's childish not to want to change. My mind drifts to the two little grandchildren who were living in our home for a few months before our son Chuck and his wife Jeni moved them to their new home. The little show stealer those days was Jessica. (We call her Jess). She's a little red-haired doll and is absolutely adorable. On occasion back then she walked around in a dirty nappy. As a result, this little cutie spread the aroma everywhere she went.

And her daddy would say to her, "Jess?"

She'd say, "Yes...?"

He'd ask, "Are you dirty?"

Jess would shake her head, frown, and say, "No."

Then he would say, "Well, what do I smell?"

"I dunno," she'd say as she walked away with a shrug. She just preferred to stay dirty. She totally ignored the need to get cleaned up! She didn't want him to stop and change her diaper. Why didn't she want a change? Because she was just a little child.

Do you need a change? Since you're an adult, grow up and change! Or as the Apostle Paul says, "Act like men" (1 Corinthians 16:13). Don't tell me why it's hard. No one wants to hear you whine about how hard it is to change. If you can't pull it off, call on your Lord for assistance. If change means moving toward what's right, you have no other option. Move. Otherwise you stay dirty and you get irritable, and you start to complain. We don't need more complainers. We need willing grown-ups!

People who are grown up keep their vows. They don't run around on their mates. Don't sneak around having an affair and try to rationalize your sin by telling your friends how tough it is at home. Nobody has the interest or time to listen to that. Everybody has it tough at home. They have to live with you, don't they?

Get your "stuff" together. Act like a man. Be brave and courageous as a lady. You're the only one on the sales force who's telling the truth? Good for you! Keep it up. God honours integrity, which is another sign of maturity. When other people are responsible for good things happening, always give them the credit. That's what mature adults do. Servant-hearted leadership is wonderful to behold.

One of the greatest men who ever led a seminary is John Walvoord, who served as president of Dallas Seminary for 34 years. We had a great 90th birthday party for him. It was terrific. We sang, "Happy Birthday to You" with pipe organ and trumpet and a great Presbyterian "Amen" at our commencement chapel. It was wonderful. He stood there with a big smile, staring at everyone. Looking at him, I realized what a model of maturity he has been for many, many years.

I was telling that story to someone and they said, "Did you know that George Mueller, at age 72, left the orphanage to his son-in-law? Mr. Mueller then went on 11 tours of the world and seven tours of Europe. He witnessed to the czar of Russia, the emperors of China and Japan, and the queen of Denmark. He then went to be with the Lord at age 95 while preparing to preach the Word that evening." I call that living like a man.

We need ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen in Christ. I warmly invite you to join the ranks. The times in which we live are tough, so they require tough-minded ladies and gentlemen whose hearts are tender.  

Excerpted from Why God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by Permission.