What it means

One of my favorite episodes of Malcom in the Middle is when the second oldest boy Reese is discovering he is growing up. You have to watch the show to know that the antics that go on in the house are hilarious. Reese and his brothers typify youth in all of its ignorant bliss. Reese comes across some contraption and he and his brothers drag it home. He finally confesses that this stupid stunt he wants to do will probably be his last.

He said he keeps hearing voices that say, “Don’t do that, that could hurt” or “That’s very dangerous.” Reese sadly said that the voices that say, “Yea, let’s do that” are getting dimmer and that as he gets older he probably won’t hear them anymore. This stunt would be his last chance at youthful mayhem before the voices went away for good and he’d be a full fledged adult; understanding consequences and choosing his well being over foolishness.

It happens to all of us; well almost all of us.

It’s the point where you grow up in your thinking and become aware of the danger, the evil, the potential harm in the world. It’s when you realize there are serious consequences and truly start weighing risks. Some people are high risk takers by nature and even as they age may be willing to take on more than some.

Becoming an adult is putting away childish thinking such as Reese attempted in that hilarious episode. It’s a new awareness of the world around you both for good and bad. It’s accepting responsibility for your own actions.

One day I realized that just because I was an adult, didn’t mean that my awareness of the world around me should instill fear and strip me of joy and peace. No, I don’t have plans to go base jumping or try some other extreme sport but I won’t let the constant bombardment of bad news, foiled terrorist’s plots and pharmaceutical company’s constant message that something could be wrong with me and why I should ask for a free trial of their drug keep me from living well and enjoying peace and joy as rightful heir.

I’m aware but I refuse to be fearful.

So like Reese, the foolish voices to do stupid stuff have been quiet for a good minute now, but what I won’t replace them with are voices that say be afraid, be overly suspicious, and trust no one. I’ll choose the life and life more abundantly living that Jesus promised. I’ve learned to bring my thought life in line with the what-so-ever list in scripture which is contrary to what I see on TV and hear on the radio.

Loving my life today and where I am in Him.