August 2006: Growth (Grow in Grace)

Growth takes place in many ways and we already know this. However, at times, whether it's a ministry, a plant, a project or studies, there comes a time when we think "this thing just isn't growing/developing fast enough. Something must be wrong."

Just for a moment though, consider the seed that has to be separated from others of its kind to be planted in the soil. Just by the natural laws of agriculture, we expect to see results in a given time-span. In the times when we think that nothing is happening, we need to remember that the stages of "unseen" growth are the most important. The times when it seems that so much has been invested – time, love, finance, energy, encouragement - and yet there is no evidence that it will pay off as much as we would like.

For that seed to grow takes time, patience, nurturing – and understanding. An understanding that in order for the plant to sustain its life, existence and exposure above the ground it must first GROW its roots downwards, unseen, underground, in the darkness. This is when we often think nothing is happening.

Many of you are about to, or have just, burst through the soil and are getting ready to be more exposed. People will see and think you've only just started growing, just started ministering, just started your business. They will, and can, never fully realise all the prayers, faith, fasting, tears, sweat and work that has taken place for the desired result to be manifested well worth all that it took.

What are some examples of growth?

Characteristics – are you more patient than you were three months ago? Do you find that the things that caused you to worry a year ago no longer have the same impact? Do you find that you think more positively about life than you did a few weeks ago? Can you say that you have a greater love for God and all that is godly? If so, that's growth.

Numeric – are there more people in your ministry than six months ago? Have you had a higher turnover in your business than last year? Can your young children read more words than at the beginning of the year? That's growth.

Quality – you may have the same amount of people in your ministry as you did a year ago – can you see their maturity in God and in their understanding of the Word of God? You may not spend as much time as you wish with your spouse and children but do you make sure that the conversations and activities you do have are meaningful, fun, relevant more than you did last year? Is your business/organisation recognising and implementing a higher level of customer service than it did six months ago? If you can answer yes, then that's growth.

There are many more examples but seeing that we are branches of the True Vine (St John 15), let us always be mindful that we are to be growing; to be aware of the various stages of growth, including pruning when it looks like everything has been stripped away. It is STILL a process of growth.

For many of us, it may feel as if we are being squeezed. We can choose to back down and remain in the place that is familiar to us or we can endure the squeezing, the pressure and burst through the soil and let it be a testimony to heaven, earth and beneath the earth that we are in God’s hands and we refuse to let anything stop our growth.

So, at whatever stage you are today, be encouraged and continue to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” 2 Peter 3:18

E-mail: admin@petraglobal.org.uk

This devotion may be reprinted, copied or distributed with the following acknowledgement shown:

“Reprinted/Copied/Distributed with the permission of:

www.petraglobal.org.uk”