I love to say that we are all in process. We are not what we were. We are not what we are going to be. So today is the perfect day to take the next step. But here’s the deal: growing is hard! Any growth is challenging, but especially spiritual growth. We have to dethrone ourself and put Jesus in His rightful place as king. And when Jesus is king and we aren’t, God goes to work. He uses everything in our lives in one way or another to help grow us up!
One of my favorite writers and theologians A.W. Tozer said, in effect, that in every person’s heart there is a throne and a cross. In our humanness, we want to keep Jesus on the cross so we can stay on the throne. But the Christian life is all about letting Jesus sit on the throne while we take the cross. Growth comes when we remember that we don’t have all the answers, make all the right choices, or even feel all the right emotions. In Isaiah 46:9-10, God tells us, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel will stand, and I will accomplish my purpose.’ ”
So today is the perfect day to grow in the things of God. Simply pray, “God I want to grow today. Give me an open heart and open mind to receive from You through the people and circumstances around me. Thank you for your grace that doesn’t hold my growing edges against me. Lead me in the way of Your love and beauty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Let the growth begin!