GROWTH, n. Advancement; progress; improvement; as growth in grace or piety.

ACCOUNTABIL'ITY, n. The state of being liable to answer for one's conduct; liability to give account, and to receive reward or punishment for actions.
(Definitions taken from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)

Whatever it is... no one is responsible for it.

Last week we talked about people existing, not really living, surviving; caught up in the muck of mediocrity.

Maybe it's because growing up is hard. Gosh... it's so much easier to go with the flow.

Being responsible, being accountable, it takes effort, it's not in our nature.

So, why bother? Because the results can be wonderful.

Because it feels good to accomplish, to do well, to excell.

When we live up to our potential, WE can take satisfaction in a job well done.

Then, we can revel in good...

PRIDE, n. Generous elation of heart; a noble self-esteem springing from a consciousness of worth.

This isn't empty, meaningless self-esteem. It isn't the self-esteem of "self-actualization" or "navel gazing."

This is an understanding that we have value because we are created in God's image, but more than that, that we have been created for a purpose. There is value in lives lived productively.

It is not that the works we do give us value, but the fact that we can work and have a positive influence in the world we live in produce value.

So, let's live life to the fullest, as grown ups, as responsible individuals. And let us be an influence in the world around, a good influence, a productive influence.

Go back to the definitions at the top of this column. One of the meanings of maturing is "coming to a complete state." The definition for growth includes "advancement; progress." The definition for accountability, "to receive reward... for actions."

In the end, we need to realize that growing up is a good thing... not an easy thing... but a good thing.