To Grow or Not To Grow?

To Grow,
-or-
Not To Grow...

That is the question...
I was finishing off my cup of coffee this morning and as I did, you could see the levels of the coffee as it left the cup.  With every sip/gulp it showed how much coffee was consumed.  It brought to mind the annual rings of a tree.  The annual rings develop at the beginning of the tree's life.  Each year, you find another ring.  The space in between the rings shows how much the tree grew.  Scientist use this to determine if it was a wet year or a dry year or if there was something that took place in the trees life that caused a scar, such as a fire.
      I wondered what each of us would look like if you could open us up and see our "Spiritual Annual Rings"?  Think about it for a moment, spiritual growth is not normally taking place as much in the rich times of great rain, but more in the dry times.  Even more than that, during the fires of life, growth may be unprecedented!  So it would be the opposite of the tree's rings.  Most often, when we are in the dry times, the "Valley Times"  the times that we are in search of an answer from God or divine intervention in our circumstances, we don't feel that it is a time of growth.  We feel like we are at the end of our rope!  But in reality, this is when growth is taking place.  This is when faith is stretching us!  This is what is allowing us to see God move on a whole new level!

     I am reminded of James 1:2-12

(2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (6) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (9) The brother in humble circumstances out to take pride in his High Position. (10) But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. (11) For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. (12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

     When I go to the gym to workout, if I don't get sore from it, then I get upset.  I feel that I haven't torn down my muscle tissue as much as I could have to produce more growth.  In the same manner, how can I expect it to be any different in my spiritual life?
      So when life throws us a curve ball or we get hit with a line drive we can choose to find growth in it, or we can fold up and stop.  Growth hurts a lot of times.  Can you remember the "growing pains" during your growth spurts as an adolescent?  With a lot of growth, it is usually accompanied by a lot of pain.

     I don't know where you are at this morning in your spiritual walk, but know this, we have a loving Father that wants you to be complete and not lacking anything!  The trick is to look towards our loving Heavenly Father for strength, direction, and faith.  This is where growth is taking place, if we allow it to!

May God strengthen you, stretch you, grow you and root you soundly in His Word; that you may stand through the trials, increase your faith, persevere to the end, mature, and become complete not lacking anything!  Amen!

Blessings,
Phillip