“We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along the surface of things….but, there are times when we must stop. We sit still. We lose ourselves in a pile of leaves, or in its memory. We listen, and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper." -James Carroll (author, historian, journalist, and Roman Catholic reformer)In every area of our life, there should be signs of growth. We should experience growth in our marriage, in our families, at our jobs, at our churches, in regards to our income, and our relationship with Christ. So how do we experience growth in our lives? Let me share some very simple principles with you today. Let's begin with the principle of being faithful in the small things.
When we have the small things in life, we want the Big. But when we have the Big things, we want the Better, when we finally get the Better, then we can’t stand it if we don’t have the Best. Don' get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with wanting better, however, the problem comes when we despise the small things because they are small.
Keep this in mind. If what we are doing seems small and menial to us, it is important to someone else. If we are faithful to that small thing, Jesus says, I will put you in charge of great things. Next, remember to love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-39 explains this principle as the golden rule.
If everyone would treat people like they want to be treated, and you love your neighbor as yourself, the world would be a better place! This is a growth principle. If we could understand this principle, apply this principle, and act this principle out, then we would be bigger people.
The key to this principle is l-o-v-e. Jesus said, “This is how people will know that you are mine, that you love one another” (John 13:35). The Bible uses the word love 508 times throughout the entire Bible; 202 times in the New Testament. Specific examples are given to us on who we are supposed to love:
- Love your neighbors (James 2:8)
- Love your God (Mark 12:30)
- Love your spouses (Ephesians 5:25)
- Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44)
Now, when you can truly adapt this principle to your life, and look at the person that hates you in the eye, and say “I love you,” then you have grown.
The third principle, being content without complaining, can be a hard one to swallow for many of us. Why? Because we are humans; we live in the flesh. And, because we are flesh, we have desires for comfort, and for better (Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6-10). Truthfully, if we want to grow, we have to learn to stop worrying and be happy with what God has blessed us with.
The fourth principle has to do with sowing and reaping. Now before you run off, hear me out. This principle found in the bible is a long lost principle. After all, we live in a world where we want something for nothing. You don’t get apple trees by planting tomato seeds. You can’t grow, unless you spend time doing things that create growth. For example: If I want to grow spiritually, and never read, pray, or go to church – it is impossible. Maybe you want your marriage to grow, but never spend time with your spouse – it too, is impossible. I could go on, but I know you get the idea.
Finally, our last principle has to do with "when much is given much is required." This means that when you have grown, your responsibility grows, too. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48) . Look at it this way, after you have grown, you can’t still act like a child spiritually.
In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists, visiting a picturesque village, who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies." A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time, and as 1 Timothy 3:6; 5:22 point out, even spiritual leadership must be earned.
Therefore, in closing this week's message, I'd like to remind you that the key word here is: growth. And, God’s Word is fuel for the refiner’s sanctifying fire, water for the planted tree’s growth, and a rock-solid foundation for the builder. We need all three desperately.
I like the way Hebrews 6:1 lays it out for all of us. “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…" As Christians, we should always be pressing to grow spiritually!
Scripture: Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Peter 3:18; Matthew 5:6; Philippians 4:13; James 1:2; Philippians 1:6; Galatians 2:20
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
Until next time...
May your week be blessed!
Bibi
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