The one common factor of living things is the fact that they grow. A lack of growth can indicate a lack of life. One of the joys of parenting is watching our children grow and mature in front of our eyes. While physical growth may be the most obvious, the reality is that growing should always be taking place in many areas.
The foundational revelation of the Bible is found in the Shema, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:4,5). The following verses talk about teaching these words diligently to our children at all times. This is the basis for all Christian growth.
As we grow naturally, so we should also grow emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Growth in these areas enhances our quality of life as we become better equipped to help others and lead a more fulfilling life. This growth is usually incremental. No one wakes up one morning with twice the knowledge and wisdom they had the day before. This would be like growing six inches overnight! Can you imagine how expensive it would be to replace your wardrobe??
Ideally growth is steady and cumulative. As we progress in life, our base of knowledge and experience grows. Two primary considerations become evident: 1) What can we do to ensure that we never stop growing? 2) What are we going to do with everything we are acquiring in our growth? In response to the first consideration, we need to seek out resources to help us grow. These can be books, seminars, videos, classes and certainly the people with whom we associate. In response to the second consideration, we need to actively seek outlets to share our knowledge and abilities with others. Advancing the Kingdom of God is a tremendous avenue. We can also help family and friends who are experiencing their own personal growth.
