Growing

 Growth in the transition phase is painful. This is the period between shedding off what was old and embracing the new. When growing in the Lord, you and I may not even recognize that growth is taking place. It certainly doesn't present itself outwardly when the inner walk is going on. However, when we look back at our behavior, thoughts and patterns that seemed so rooted, we begin to get sight of the changes that take place. Sometimes the growth looks like renewed hope in the ability of God to transform people, no longer raising voices in anger, quick forgiveness and quick repentance. As we come closer to God we realize how frail we really are and how much He holds us all together. In the Book of Isaiah the writer changes tune to how he even writes:

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Isaiah 6:5 

 There are times we may look at our lives and even ask God to grow us and He starts with pruning. It's not much to think of when you see a gardener prune a plant and later see it doing so well. Understandably, the pruning we undergo is much more different because unlike a plant that can stay still and has no choice, you and I are able to exercise free will. We fight back, we hold onto things and behaviors that God wants us to let go off. We hold onto hurts, pain, affliction, a season that has already passed and we really think we are contributing to the process. Yet the more we yield to His way, the more satisfaction we begin to experience. Think about it, our knowledge, experience and history is limited to the environment and people we have been exposed to, and here is the God who sits above the heavens telling us there is a better way and we still want to fight Him over the control of our lives. David wrote about it in Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

⁵ For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Psalm 8:1-5

 God is mindful of our growth and is aware how a wayward branch would lead to our own injury and harm, would cause us to remain unfruitful, would lead us down the wrong path, would lead to bitterness and the display of character that is contrary to Him. God is our Father and He will prune us for our own good, for the benefit of our character.

Think about it, our knowledge, experience and history is limited to the environment and people we have been exposed to, and here is the God who sits above the heavens telling us there is a better way and we still want to fight Him over the control of our lives.  

 JESUS IS THE VINE and we are the branches. The Father is the Gardener. Our role as believers is to abide(remain, follow) in Jesus and as we do that we bear much fruit. How do we abide in Jesus? We abide in Him by following His commands - that we love one another.

⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

The vine supplies nutrients to the branches and each branch that does not remain in the vine begins to whither and is cut off. Now because this growth is internal work, you may look stagnant, other times backward or even like you are not following the course of the world. This is also included in John 15. Jesus tells us because we do not belong to the world, the world will persecute us. In fact, He said if the world persecuted Him, then we can be sure it will persecute us. One of the reasons Jesus gave was because He came and spoke to them they could no longer hide in their sin. As believers, Jesus called you and I, He chose us out of the world and because of that the world cannot accept us. 

We are called to live a different life, to value eternal things, to live free of sin, to love one another and to tell others about Jesus. This directly contradicts the way of the world. If you have noticed, if anyone calls out sin, they are told they are not accepting others just as they are, they are not respecting others choices', they are infringing on people's ability to be comfortable in anything they want to do. A time has come where even living with godly values is offensive to others. Some examples have been Christian businesses refusing to serve celebrations that contradict God's word and being taken to court, the removal of godly or Christian writing from schools, the persecution of families who choose to home school because they don't want their children indoctrinated or the promotion of highly addictive substances and products to derail youth who have not yet mastered self control through video games, TV shows, alcohol and drugs, and so on. If you are a young person, ask yourself, what do they want me distracted from? Why would they create social media and all these games, VR and others and make them so addictive? All these actions are meant to remove godly living from society entirely and perhaps even usher in increased control and restrictions for the worship of the One true God.

 Even as we ponder on all these things, we need to remember we are the light that guides others to Jesus, through how we live, how we behave, our love and what we tell others about Him.

¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

 The world may be going off on its own tangent but the instruction is clear, we are to lead others to Jesus and our growth though painful at the moment will eventually bring in much fruit. 

 

 If you have not yet even begun the journey of faith here is a prayer you can pray:

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I admit I have not been living right. I have strayed from the original plan you had for my life. I confess I never took the time to know you but this day, I ask that you come into my heart and transform me to your will. Forgive me of all my sins and help me start anew. I love you and honor you, in Jesus name I pray. Amen!
If you prayed that prayer, reach out to me and I will send you a copy of a 30 day devotional that will help you get grounded in the word of God and begin your transformation journey. I am so glad you made this decision and heaven rejoices over you. Simply click on the link to choose how you would like to contact me. God be with you.