I need an adultier adult.

I saw a meme the other day that said something about when you’re in a situation and you look around for an adult only to realize that you’re an adult… so you start looking for an older adult or at least an adult who has been successful at adulting. An adultier adult.

I laughed so much because I felt like it was completely relatable. I’m one hundred percent not the person to look at in a serious situation because I will make you laugh with no mercy. I’m also the one who can’t pass up a good “that’s what she said” opportunity. ( I know. Not appropriate. I’m flawed.) I am NOT the adultier adult to find in times of trouble.

But how often do we think we have it all under control when God starts speaking? We look for an adultier adult when just about anything happens or when we’re unsure of even the slightest blips in our lives, but when it comes to God’s leading or direction… nope! We’ve got it. We know more than He who created the stars and numbers the hairs on our heads. I mean, I’m not great at math but that doesn’t seem to add up to me.

Proverbs 3: 5-7a says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.” I mean point blank telling us not to be impressed with ourselves. God agrees that we are not the adultier adult. And he doesn’t just say to ask him if your idea is right, either. We’re told to seek God’s will and He’ll tell us which path to take because in order to truly trust the Lord, it means to ignore ourselves entirely and to only be listening to His voice.

Why? Why can’t we trust ourselves? Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that Jesus doesn’t change. We change. We change our minds with every post read, every person we consult, every adultier adult we trust. Our minds and hearts are fickle pickles but we trust ourselves time and time again when we need to think about a new job path or who to love. Time and time again the Bible reminds us that we can’t trust ourselves. Proverbs 28:26 calls us out again- “Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.”

It's so easy to slip into self-sufficiency. Autonomy is what we lean towards most as a part of our “feminist duty” isn’t it? We need to be stronger, to find our own way, to make a strong choice and go for it. Unfortunately, cultural pushes often push against scriptures. It takes so much more strength when I decide to open my hands so that I can give things over to God. Gripping the illusion of control plagues my every decision, so I am strongest when I surrender and admit that I am the least adulty adult and that there aren’t any good choices around me either. I have to give up my own thoughts and those of my influences. I have to trust the truths from Isaiah 55—His thoughts are far superior to even my very best thoughts on my very best day. And let’s be honest- when was the last time you made a big decision using your very best thoughts on your very best day? Yeah. Me either.

Today’s challenge: Find 10 verses that remind you of truths that you struggle with. (Be sure to read the entire passage to ensure you’re not cherry-picking a verse without the context behind it… we do that a lot as Christians.) Write them on stickies or put cards on a ring at your desk. Flip to a new one daily. After you read it:

- Think about the most recent big-ish decision you made. Who did you turn to first? Was it God? Your best friend? Yourself?

- How can you work towards a “Him first” mentality when it comes to looking for advice or wisdom?

- Consider telling your close friends about this challenge and ask them to hold you accountable the next time you come to them for counsel. (“Hey- ask me if I’ve talked to God about it when I come to you with --- and if I haven’t, pray with me so that my hands will be open to Him.”)