Grow OUT

I don't want to get to the end of my life & find I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. -Diane Ackerman

I’ve often been in the middle of one of those ‘daydream’ moments and found myself thinking what it will be like when the end comes for me? You might think that is a morbid thought to have, but I like to think it is healthy to dwell on this subject from time to time.

If I today were faced with the ‘end’, would I have regrets? Would I have wished that I had done this or that? Would I want to go back and treat my spouse or children differently? Would worry, doubt, or uncertainty be the elephants in my room of life that I’d let them be before?

So many questions to wonder about…

(Bel Air, MD)

There are a few things in this life that we have no choice in. One of those is whether or not we are going to grow. Some grow in different directions, but you will grow. 

I remember growing pains. I never could figure out why my knees would hurt when I was a kid. Mom would always say, “Son, those are just growing pains. It’s just part of the process of growing up.”

Growing up is hard.

Sure, we all grow physically…but what about emotionally – spiritually – mentally?
We adults tend to forget the parallels of life as we mature:
To grow emotionally – we develop relationships. We experience heartbreak and loss.
To grow spiritually – we accept Christ’s gift of salvation and walk His path.
To grow mentally – we go to school.

Here is the deal. THIS NEVER STOPS.

(Forest Hill, MD)

What stops is us. We stunt our growth by allowing loss to dictate our present and future. We accept this beautiful gift that God gave to us, yet we no longer pray and digest His Word like we used to. Don’t even mention the words fasting and sacrifice. We refuse to attend the school of life anymore because it is just too hard and there is way too much homework.

This is why many get to the end and find out they’ve only lived the length of life. What a waste of good air. To not have accomplished ALL that He had for you. To have never experienced a life based upon miracle after miracle, because it just ‘costs’ us too much.

In this life God never promised us that every day, decision, or circumstance would be easy. Every person is tempted to stop living. I don’t know of any individual who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the situation that lay before them. He never promised easy.
But James said it well, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 – NLT)

Let’s not just grow UP…Let’s spend some time growing OUT too.

I Peter 1:6 (NLT) - So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.