Everyone who is reading this blog wants to grow. And growth always means change. The problem is that we want to grow, but we find it difficult to change. But change and growth are inseparable.
When a seed is planted in the earth, it begins to grow. And as it does, it changes its form—from kernel to sprout, from shoot to plant. As the seed grows, it changes into a healthy plant, effortlessly. Is it possible that our process of change and growth should be as effortless?
Consider this: Jesus compares God’s Word to a seed (Mark 4:15). And if God’s Word is like a seed growing in you, doesn’t it make sense that growth should be fairly effortless? After all, you can’t make it grow. It just does—because that is the nature of a ‘seed’—it grows. But in the case of God’s Word, it doesn’t change as it grows. Rather, it changes YOU. But let's get real! There is effort involved: the effort is to stay focused on God’s Word.
See that what you have heard from the beginning [God's Word] remains in you… let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught (1 John 2:24; Colossians 2:7 NLT).
Greg,
ReplyDeleteIn my own life it has been my observation that I am usually the last to become aware of my own growth. But I don't think my experience is an isolated one.
Part of my responsibility (and joy!) being an elder in my congregation is to encourage God's precious people--who ARE growing--when they don't see or feel they are growing. I often refer them back to Jesus' parable of the farmer who prepares the soil for his crops but still has no clue as to the dynamics that caused growth of the seed once it is planted in the ground. He just looks out one day at his field and sees "green" instead of "brown." And he knows that the road to harvest is officially here!
My problem, as well as others, is that we find it all too easy to conclude that "brown days" mean that the seed has stopped its growth process and we must be messing up big time. But God is faithful to remind me that the seed is still growing IN THE GROUND and one day soon enough I will see that seed-plant push its way to the surface and I will face the proof that growth has been occuring all along! Now that the shoot has broken the surface the waiting is over and the focus on cultivation goes forward with purpose!
Green days confirm the faith we exercised on brown days.
Stan
Great illustration. In the Green Lettes, Miles Stanford says "thre is a waiting period between the acceptance and the receiving [of the Word]; often years." But our assurance is that God is 'acting while we re waiting' (Is. 64)
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