Growth

Do you remember how when you were a kid you could hardly wait to grow up? It was going to be so great! You could stay up as late as you wanted. Nobody could tell you what to do. You'd never have to do math again if you didn't want to. Right.

So, you grew up. But not everything turned out quite like you had expected. For one thing, there are still people who tell you what to do. And for another, math is still lurking out there! But perhaps most unexpected is the fact that there is still a lot of growing to do.

Over the years, I have gone through periods when I have relished the experiences that have led to growth in my life. Sometimes those experiences have been painful and scarring. Other times they have been pure joy. But almost always, they have stretched and prodded me to a new place. A better, more complete version of the person I was before.

Of course, there have also been times when I've just wanted to be left alone to languish a while in the routine, sameness of my daily life. Growth can be exhausting and occasionally we need to allow ourselves a little respite. It helps to recharge the batteries in preparation for that next great growth spurt.

In his devotional, Truth for Today, John MacArthur sums up the growth process for Christians when he says, "The growth process will end on the day that we see Jesus Christ and become like Him." Now that's something to look forward to.