I love it when God uses His creation to educate us. We have a lot we can learn about spiritual maturity from the sea turtle. Sea turtles demonstrate an excellent sense of timing when it comes to nesting and carrying on their species. You might be wondering how on earth this ties into learning spiritual disciplines. I'll tell you how this connects to us on earth.  When they're ready to nest, sea turtles return to where they were born. Their sense of location reverberates that strongly within them.

How are we doing in that department? Do we know where we belong or where our home is  with such fervor that at the most significant times of life we return to thoughts of it? That is a key signal we are on a path to maturity...when we seek the source of our light and life at crucial times of faith. And that light is our heaven, our home.

Something else to note about the life of a sea turtle, ridley turtles in particular. They nest in large masses. Padding along the beach, they nest their eggs together as a group. Another discipline of maturity is understanding that as Christians we need each other. We have a responsibility to uplift one another, to hold each other accountable and carry each other's burdens.

Finally, I have a personal story to share about an old and weathered turtle my husband and I met on our honeymoon while visiting the San Diego Zoo. Given it was a turtle, not a sea turtle, but there's still a takeaway lesson. When we approached the hulking, wrinkly beast, it approached us. The first thing the creature did was lift its neck up so we could give it a good scratch. Of course we obliged. And we scratched and we scratched. Then we stepped back to study the animal for a bit, to marvel at it. Then, right before we peeled off to check out the next exhibit our friend extended his neck high to the heavens one last time. The turtle lifted his head.

We need to lift our eyes to the Maker of heaven and earth. It's a sign of discipline and maturity when we confess that God is the orchestrator of all. Trusting that God is working the plans in our life for good is a blessed sign of growth.

So that is how on earth the turtle provides examples of maturing faith. May it be on earth as it is in heaven. (I'm not even about to address whether there will be animals in heaven...that's another thought for another time!)

Wendy Miller’s work has been published in inspirational books, online magazines and on numerous websites. She is passionate about encouraging women through writing and speaking, and currently Wendy leads a small group of seniors from her church. Raising her three little girls, writing novels, creating craft projects, and hiking are other ways she enjoys spending her time. Feel free to visit her blog to peek inside the window of her thoughts as she actively pursues what it means to follow the Lord. Wendy's Website