Thoughts For Your Growth

You might be wondering if it’s really possible to grow in your walk with Christ by journaling just 10 minutes a day. I know it sounds a little far fetched. You’re probably thinking it’s just some marketing gimmick used to get you to click on a link.

You’re right! I admit it. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I truly believe the Daily Growth Journal can help you grow in your walk with Christ because I’ve seen what it’s done in my life and the lives of others.

I’ve learned that practicing Silence and Solitude is the spiritual equivalent to resting after a hard workout. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, you don’t actually get stronger from going to the gym. Lifting weights only serves to stress the muscles and break them down. And that stress is what causes growth to take place. Without it, your body wouldn’t have a reason to grow.

But the exercise itself doesn’t make your muscles grow stronger. The process of rest and recovery does that. So if you didn't give your muscles enough time to recover and you continued to work out every day, you’d end up breaking down your body more and more until you injured yourself and/or made yourself sick. This is your body's way of taking the rest it needs whether you’re willing to give it or not.

Have you ever thought about Jesus' command to take on his yoke and burden and wondered what He meant when he promised it would be “easy” and “light.” Anyone who’s been a Christian for any significant time will tell you that following Jesus isn’t always easy. It costs a lot! It takes all of your effort! By choosing the narrow road to life, you invite upon yourself all kinds of trials, hardships, and suffering.

So what is Jesus talking about in Matthew 11:29-30 when he promised that His Way is actually the easy one?

It was 3:00 AM. At least that’s what I thought my sleep-filled eyes told me after they looked at the clock beside my bed. I wasn’t sure what had woken me. Then I heard screams coming from down the hall. Ugh, not another night of one kid waking up the other in an endless cycle that would last until morning. My wife was already out of bed taking care of them like the superhero she is. But I lay there brooding in my own frustration anyway.

Then, a loud, window-rattling crack of thunder followed by another round of screams told me this wasn’t one of those nights. A split second later, the power flickered out, and the whole house was dark.

Because of our desire to grow and succeed, we can often become too focused on the techniques and tools required for us to reach our goals. We can easily forget that our calling to do is an extension of our calling to be.

For disciples of Jesus Christ, there is nothing more important than the voice of God calling us. His call bestows upon us our identity as a His children. Through His call, we become the people we were meant to be. Because of his calling, we are given the opportunity to follow Christ.

My three-year-old son is currently going through a phase in which he fixates on something he wants. He won’t give up until he gets it. In driven, ambitious adults this would be admired. In a three-year-old, however, it’s typically accompanied by a tantrum. He wants the toy his brother is using, the extra cookie, or to go to Nana and Bapa’s house so badly. And in his mind there’s no reason that shouldn’t happen... immediately.

Journaling tends to be one of those spiritual disciplines you either love or hate.

No matter which category you’re in, you've probably tried journaling at one time in your life. Maybe you’re like me and you really want to journal. You may even go to the store and buy a new one to help motivate you to start. But then you let 3 or 4 months go by before ever touching it again. 

As a nine-year-old kid, I remember getting a few firecrackers one day with the promise we would shoot them off together later that evening. I was elated. The catch, however, was that I had to wait at home for an hour or so while my parents ran a few errands.

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live…

Marriage is most definitely a mix of both good and bad. And God uses that mix to do one thing: to make you more like Jesus. Yes, marriage is a place where good things happen. It can be full of love, romance, excitement, the erotic, adventure, and satisfaction. But I’m convinced those are by-products of God’s purpose in marriage, to sanctify (make holy, like Jesus) people through relationships.