Growth Spurt

Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:10, NIV

God believes in growth! In the Garden of Eden, “the LORD God made every tree grow” (Genesis 2:9). He designed grass to grow for cattle and crops to grow for us (Psalm 104:14). He wanted the children of Israel to grow into a great nation (Genesis 48:16). In the Gospels we’re told to “consider the lilies, how they grow” (Luke 12:27). Even the Lord Jesus “grew and became strong in spirit” (Luke 2:40).

The Lord expects His saints to grow, too, like palm trees and cedars of Lebanon (Psalm 92:12). We’re to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Our faith is to grow more solid every day, and our love deeper (2 Thessalonians 1:3). Peter tells us to “desire the sincere milk of the word, that [we] may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2, KJV), and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Are there areas in your life—whatever your age—in which you need fresh growth? Focus on that area, memorize Scripture on that topic, pray for maturity, and ask God for a “growth spurt” in your life.

The mind grows by taking in, but the heart grows by giving out; and it is important to maintain a balanced life.

WARREN WIERSBE^a