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Forever Growing

Watching the amazing day to day changes as my children have grown is something I really enjoy reflecting on. We often look at photos from months or even years ago and reminisce about how much they have changed in such a short time. When they are smaller the changes seem that much more apparent. Milestones like walking and first words stick out, but it is the day to day growth that is really amazing. The look of recognition in their eyes; the first time they express empathy for another. It amazes me on every level. But what is even more amazing is that as adults we are still constantly growing in one form or another, we just don't always recognize it. 

Our relationships change throughout our lives. We grow closer to some people while we grow more distant from others. We may develop lifelong friends or perhaps make deeper friendships in adulthood. The one thing that any type of lasting relationship has in common is growth. Growth in any relationship takes time and work. Very few friendships simply happen, and most relationships that are not growing simply skim across the surface of possibility. Our relationship with God is much the same. The more time we spend in his word, seeking him in prayer and contemplation, the more we grow in our relationship with him. 

Peter challenges us to grow in our relationship with Christ in 1 Peter 2. He entreats us to put away the attributes that may have once defined our lives. 

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy 

and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, 

long for the pure spiritual milk, 

that by it you may grow up into salvation-..." 1 Peter 2:1-2

It is with our longing for the things of God that we grow in our relationship with him. We put off what we once were in order to grow. It is easy to make the mistake in thinking that we are ever fully grown in our relationship with God. He is forever shaping us to more clearly mirror who he is. Just like looking at pictures of our growing children, we can look back at the growth God has provided in our lives, and this reflection will always strengthen our faith. 

A Peace that Surpasses All Understanding

At some point in life we all experience anxiety in some form or other. I remember as a student worrying about upcoming tests and sporting events. At the time they seemed like the most important events in the world. No amount of study or preparation could relieve the anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I got older the worry associated with big tests or sporting events shifted to job opportunities, the health of family members and the birth of children. But it wasn't until I met Jesus that I realized that the all the worry, all the anxiety over these things couldn't change the outcome. Before, the worry would often build to seemingly unmanageable levels sometimes causing the inability to act. With Jesus, I now had a loving lord and savior who cared about these worries and assured me he would see me through. 

Sadly, Jesus is often not the first person I go to with worries and anxiety. It seems like it is human nature to seek advice from others or to even bare our problems alone before we seek God. We don't like to feel weak, and while it is a good thing to seek wise counsel from others, our first interaction on worry should always be the Lord. I have been blessed with peace and comfort in any number of worry inducing situations when I first go to God in prayer. When I labor over these same situations only later going to God I always come to the conclusion of why did I not take this to God first? Pride is so very hard to overcome. 

In Philippians 4:6-9, Paul states how we are to approach worries and anxieties.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by

prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request 

be known to God. And the peace of God,

which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds

in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:6-7

Paul speaks of the peace given by God that surpasses all understanding. I've seen this peace in the passing of my father-in-law several years ago. People who have not met Jesus are often dumbfounded when they see an acquaintance or friend experience a hardship and handle it with a sense of peace that doesn't make sense to them. I would be willing to say that it is that very peace that God gives us that attracts those who may have been dumbfounded. 

I know when something is bothering me if I take that worry to God it will be put into perspective. He will give the peace and comfort only he can. If I try to carry the burden alone it festers. It grows into something it never should have been. I pray that we would always seek God first in thanksgiving, praying for the worries that will arrive in life. We already know the outcome.