When was the first time you really felt like a grown-up? 

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

This is a question many of us ponder, and the answer may not always be straightforward. For some, it’s a major life event—graduating, getting a job, or becoming a parent—that triggers the feeling of maturity. For others, it may be the quiet moments of responsibility, like paying bills, or the realization that you’re making decisions not just for yourself, but for others too. As Christians, we can also look to God’s Word to understand this journey into adulthood.

Maturity in Christ: A Different Perspective

From a Christian perspective, feeling like a grown-up is not just about age or milestones, but about spiritual growth and maturity. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, expresses a pivotal aspect of Christian maturity:

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11, ESV).

Paul’s words remind us that maturity involves more than worldly responsibility. True maturity involves growing in wisdom, character, and our relationship with God. This is not a singular moment but a continuous journey of learning to align our thoughts and actions with His will.

The Call to Responsibility

For many, the first true experience of feeling like an adult comes when they realize the weight of responsibility on their shoulders. Perhaps it was the first time you had to make a decision that would impact others. Maybe it was the moment you stepped into a role of leadership or parenthood. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Becoming a parent, for example, often gives one a profound sense of responsibility, but this sense can also arise in mentoring or caring for others in our community.

The Bible calls us to take on responsibility and lead with wisdom. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Whether guiding your own children or being a role model to those around you, the responsibility that comes with adulthood is an opportunity to display God’s love and wisdom.

Taking Ownership of Your Faith

Another key aspect of feeling like an adult is owning your faith. For many, this moment comes when you stop relying solely on the faith of your parents or community and start cultivating a personal relationship with God. Hebrews 5:12-14 highlights this transition from spiritual infancy to maturity:

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

The shift from “milk” to “solid food” represents the spiritual nourishment needed to mature in Christ. It is about moving from passively receiving to actively engaging with God’s Word, developing discernment, and living out His purpose for your life.

Maturity Is a Journey

While there may be specific moments when we feel like we’ve truly “grown up,” Christian maturity is a lifelong journey. Philippians 3:12-14 encourages us to press forward, understanding that maturity in faith, character, and responsibility continues throughout our lives:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

In essence, the feeling of being “grown-up” comes when we acknowledge our dependence on God, take responsibility for the lives He’s entrusted to us, and strive toward spiritual maturity. It’s not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s guidance, embracing the responsibilities we have, and continuing to grow in faith and love.

So, when did you first feel like a grown-up? Maybe the answer is not just about the past but also about the present and future, as we press on toward spiritual maturity in Christ.

Feel free to share your reflections in the comments—I’d love to hear when you first felt like a grown-up and how your faith has shaped that experience.

The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella