December 2006   

And so we rush headlong towards another year end God willing. I was looking at some pictures of my youngest grandson from 12 months ago and comparing his stature then with now – my how he has grown – and of course we would be rightly surprised if that were not the case.   It caused me to consider my own growth over the same period. I do not of course refer to my physical growth - though that never seems to be a particular struggle!! – but to my spiritual growth. Am I stronger than I was a year ago? Am I “taller” than I was a year ago? Am I more mature than I was a year ago? Have I more of Christ than I had a year ago? All of these challenging and pertinent questions for us to ask ourselves.   Just as in the physical realm so in the “spiritual” there is a growth that is unhealthy. In the Lord’s song in Deuteronomy 32 the accusation is laid against Jeshurun that “he waxed fat and grew thick and then forsook the God who had made him” an experience perhaps echoed in the life of the church at Laodicea, rich and increased with goods with the Lord on the outside.   We are of course expected to grow in the right way:- According to Psalm 92 the righteous shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon – a growth that is expected to be maintained and to produce fruit right on into old age. We may get smaller in physical stature as we get older but we are expected to continue to grow spiritually and to be increasingly fruitful.  And then we are expected to grow up into Christ according to Ephesians 4. Stability is the expected outcome of growing up – well grounded in Christ, playing our part in the development of His body – the Church. Lastly we are charged with growing in Grace in 1 Peter 3. Godliness is what we are required to strive for in the light of the temporary nature of things around us and by our maturity enabled to be steadfast in purpose.