Changes

When you carelessly throw away your self-restraint and [[embrace]] self-[[indulgence]], it is a [[tragedy]] for your selves, [[your angels]], and all those who [[love]] you. [[Maturity]] must be [[progressive]]. You must strive to build mature boundaries of [[conduct]] which lead to advancement in the world and [[respect]] from your [[peers]]. Self-indulgence leads to loss of self-respect and loss of the respect of your peers. [[Liberty]] to make [[spiritual progress]] is found in the mature [[actions]] of the growing sons and daughters of the Father, not in reverting to [[adolescence]] or childish [[selfishness]].

When you carelessly throw away your self-restraint and [[embrace]] self-[[indulgence]], it is a [[tragedy]] for your selves, [[your angels]], and all those who [[love]] you. [[Maturity]] must be [[progressive]]. You must strive to build mature boundaries of [[conduct]] which lead to advancement in the world and [[respect]] from your [[peers]]. Self-indulgence leads to loss of self-respect and loss of the respect of your peers. [[Liberty]] to make [[spiritual progress]] is found in the mature [[actions]] of the growing sons and daughters of the Father, not in reverting to [[adolescence]] or childish [[selfishness]].

[[Maturity]] comes with self-negation, it comes with [[selfless]] [[service]] of others, thinking of their [[happiness]] and contentment rather than your own. The child is entirely self-[[focused]]. The maturing adult is partially self-focused. [[Jesus]] of Nazareth was entirely [[other]] focused. His concern was never for himself. His [[comfort]] was always the least of his [[worries]]. He showed the world what a truly [[mature]] person should be like. The self-[[indulgence]] exhibited by his followers is seen especially in the apostle [[Judas]] who thought solely of himself, though solely of his own concerns and was thus led rapidly to complete ruin. You cannot climb the heights required of you by following [[the Master]] when you engage in acts of self-[[indulgence]] and actions that lead to a type of morbid [[self]]-[[focus]]. These types of actions will lead to a rapid undoing. I know it is fashionable in your [[society]] to [[experience]] various degrees of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-life_crisis mid life crises], to want to recapture some type of youthful [[abandon]]. But, you can only look around you to see the ruined lives and wrecked [[marriages]] that are caused by this type of self-[[indulgence]]. It is a [[wise]] person who knows when to put away the things of [[youth]] and to move on with life.

[[Maturity]] comes with self-negation, it comes with [[selfless]] [[service]] of others, thinking of their [[happiness]] and contentment rather than your own. The child is entirely self-[[focused]]. The maturing adult is partially self-focused. [[Jesus]] of Nazareth was entirely [[other]] focused. His concern was never for himself. His [[comfort]] was always the least of his [[worries]]. He showed the world what a truly [[mature]] person should be like. The self-[[indulgence]] exhibited by his followers is seen especially in the apostle [[Judas]] who thought solely of himself, though solely of his own concerns and was thus led rapidly to complete ruin. You cannot climb the heights required of you by following [[the Master]] when you engage in acts of self-[[indulgence]] and actions that lead to a type of morbid [[self]]-[[focus]]. These types of actions will lead to a rapid undoing. I know it is fashionable in your [[society]] to [[experience]] various degrees of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-life_crisis mid life crises], to want to recapture some type of youthful [[abandon]]. But, you can only look around you to see the ruined lives and wrecked [[marriages]] that are caused by this type of self-[[indulgence]]. It is a [[wise]] person who knows when to put away the things of [[youth]] and to move on with life.

You are all of you passing into new [[stages]] of your lives and this [[acceptance]] of new [[responsibilities]] as well as new [[boundaries]] must be achieved. Each of you will carry as much responsibility in [[the mission]] as you can hold. Take these responsibilities with [[grace]] and ease rather than [[rebellion]] and strife. You all have great [[spiritual gifts]] and those gifts carry the responsibility of [[spiritual growth]] and [[maturity]]. This has been a stern [[warning]] and it is up to each of you to nurture your own [[happiness]] by setting [[boundaries]] of self-restraint. It is up to you to [[accept]] the responsibilities of your years and to be open to new and greater [[challenges]] that will stimulate your [[growth]] rather than stifle it. Follow [[the Master]]'s example in turning your concerns outward. Don't worry about yourselves so much.

You are all of you passing into new [[stages]] of your lives and this [[acceptance]] of new [[responsibilities]] as well as new [[boundaries]] must be achieved. Each of you will carry as much responsibility in [[the mission]] as you can hold. Take these responsibilities with [[grace]] and ease rather than [[rebellion]] and strife. You all have great [[spiritual gifts]] and those gifts carry the responsibility of [[spiritual growth]] and [[maturity]]. This has been a stern [[warning]] and it is up to each of you to nurture your own [[happiness]] by setting [[boundaries]] of self-restraint. It is up to you to [[accept]] the responsibilities of your years and to be open to new and greater [[challenges]] that will stimulate your [[growth]] rather than stifle it. Follow [[the Master]]'s example in turning your concerns outward. Don't worry about yourselves so much.