This is the way of maturity. We learn new things, learn how to apply them and then we climb a new stage of life. We preform a new drama. There are anticipations for each graduate to achieve new and more exciting goals.

The transition begins after a celebration of completion. The preschoolers have completed their training and are prepared for kindergarten. The High School graduate is prepared for college or some sort of trade. The college graduate is ready to step out into the world market place and tackle the big issues of life. Each of the graduates have set a milestone to mark their transition from one stage of maturity to another.

It is easy to recognize the milestones of our graduates, but how about your milestones. Without going back to your first step, I'd like to take you though some stages of Christian development.

The greatest milestone is your conversion. When you grew to understand your need for the cleansing only Jesus could offer. At your baptism there was a celebration. "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10 - NIV).

From the sacred waters of purification you began to travel a new path, the path of righteousness. This path has milestones as well. From the time you decide to be faithful in church attendance you made a milestone. Milestones are memories of achievements. The spiritual life should have several milestones.

When you make church attendance a priority it is a milestone. When you decided Sunday Evening Service, Sunday School and Wednesday Bible Study were important for you to attend milestones were made. When you began to have personal devotion times you crossed into greater maturity. The time you decided to get out of your comfort zone and step into Christian Service was a milestone. You may remember, when you helped with Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Preschool, became a Greeter, or served Communion the first time. With each service came a new understanding of God.

The first tithe check was a milestone. You began to trust God more than yourself, or your own income. Instead you realized Kingdom ministry needed funded and you would trust God to supply for you and your family.

Do you remember when you gave up that bad habit or overcame that poor attitude for Christ? That was a milestone.  Remember when Christ taught you how to be a better Christian mate, or a better parent? Wasn't it great to learn the freedom which comes through submission or the joy that you can have by showing your love to others?

With each milestone God allows you to see further, deeper, and straighter. Growth causes you to have a richer existence here on earth and a greater peace in what is to come after this life is over. The Apostle John was old by the time Christ gave him the Revelation. He undoubtedly had many milestones. How do I know this, because milestones are markers of achievement. John had achieved a relationship with God, which spoke volumes.

The Apostle John had learned to tame his temper and talk of love more than any other New Testament writer except for Paul (Luke 9:54; Mark 3:17; 1st John) . He had walked freely with Peter in ministry, but found himself writing letters of encouragement to churches from the penal colony of Patmos. John lost a brother to martyrdom, but gained countless brothers and sisters in Christ. With each change Jesus came into focus more clearly, the ministry became more important, and his attitudes were shaped to benefit the King more fully.

John didn't know each of these milestones were going to occur, or how they could be beneficial, but they were. The transforming milestones developed John into a man of great character and Godly determination.

I hope my milestones transform me to the same depth of understanding as John's did. I want to say with John, "Come Lord Jesus," (Rev. 22:20) and mean it.