I Samuel 13:1
“Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.”
Thirty years of age is a significant age. It’s when Saul began his reign. It’s also the time Jesus started His ministry. While we have different ages when we launch, It sometime in that era.
Up to eighteen are the mandatory education years. We learn much about ourselves. At that time, some go to college while others go to work. We usually understand the type of person we are and whether college is a fit.
Some might be suited for college, however they first need some work experience. A work ethic is developed as well as the value of money. These are significant lessons.
A work ethic is connected to character and integrity. We learn the type of person we want to be. Most want to be a valued and respected team member. One in whom others want to work with. This greatly contributes to our self respect.
Learning the value of a dollar aids us in the type of job we want. It’s important to enjoy one’s work, but it’s also important to get a job that pays enough. As we have to pay rent, bills and have enough to enjoy ourselves, we learn how quickly money disappears. Part of that requires discipline, but the other part is earning enough.
Usually about 30 years of age we begin to hit our stride. We are in a career that works for us. We also get connected to our life partner and children may enter the scene.
We begin to change. We don’t go out with our friends like we used to. We are now on our own team. We gain new friends who are more couples and others with children.
Our values get more focused. Some may not have paid much attention to faith, but now that children are present, it’s a factor. People begin to think about going to church and putting their kids into Sunday school.
Our children’s development becomes our focus. We make sure they are ready for school. About that same time we enter them in sports or some other activity. We become students of them. We want them to succeed.
All this time we become less self focused. It’s more about our spouse and our kids. This is a good thing. The less self focused, the happier we become. I think of what John the Baptist said about his role in John 3:30, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Our role becomes one of support.
Lord, thank You for these stages in life. Thank You that You mature us and make us better as we go.