Happy Friday! Today is July 8th, 2022. I’ve been surprised lately by a rash of crimes and corruption led by people in their 60s and 70s! You’d think they’d know better by now. But, it’s as if they remained adolescents in their thinking and just grew old. In Hebrews, Jesus Himself examples for us that even though He was the Son of God, He learned through suffering. He chose to learn. He chose to improve. He chose to reject bitterness and offense. He chose to be more like the Father. He refused to allow any trial to result in Him being less like the Father than before. That had to be intentional, and the same is for you and me. If it is, we grow. If it isn’t, we just grow … old. Read on …
Today's Reading:
Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100,101,102; Hebrews 5
Scripture
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)
Observation
Once when Abby was young, she asked, “Why do big people stop growing?” That’s an excellent question! I told her it was “natural” for youth to keep growing. Physical growth happens automatically, but when you become an adult, any type of growth—mental, spiritual, etc.—is no longer automatic.
It only happens intentionally.
As adults, we must distinguish between growing old and growing up. Tenure or time spent as a human being doesn’t always equal maturity. Growing old does not necessarily mean you have grown up.
Application
Growth is not measured by experience alone, nor is it equated with time. You can be “around” for a long time, but you may not have grown up. You can hang around the church and attend many years of services but still be an adolescent on the inside.
However, one catalyst to growth to help you along the way will be trials. You can grow from suffering… that is if you learn something through the suffering! And if that be the case, growth is often the result. Jesus did it, and He wants to live through you and me. So maybe it’s high time that we authentically let Him lead!
Prayer
Father, I want to be intentional in my growth — especially when it comes to my walk with You. Therefore, I will stay vigilant, and through the trials, I want to learn something that will deepen my faith and broaden my capacity to serve You even more!
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