Growth.

Life is growth.  From the day we were born to the day we die, we are growing physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.  Whatever it is, we are constantly learning and growing.  There is never in a time in our life where we just "get to a point" that we stop growing. 

There would be no point in being here if that were the case.  One of the many reasons God put us on this earth to discover who He is, and while doing so, to share who He is with others.  But God is a mystery; discovering Him will never happen.  It's why He gives us an eternity to spend time with Him.  It will take an eternity to get to know him completely.  (Which would be forever. Sooo, it will never happen.)

If our our purpose is to learn more about Him and to grow closer to Him; if our purpose is something we will never achieve even after an eternity, wouldn't that mean our life is constant growth?  There is no such thing as becoming stagnant in your growth.  Those who become "stagnant" are those who choose not to learn from mistakes they have made or situations they are placed in.  They are the ones who choose not to press forward and allow the events in their life to make them a better person.  As much as I don't like to admit it, I am very often included in this category.  But I'm pretty sure we all are, we are human. 

And as humans, our goal in discovering God is to become the person he intended us to be.  But just like we will never fully know Him, we will never fully be that person.  We are fallen.  Throughout our entire life, we will mess up.  That is not the person He wants us to be.  But as we go through our life, we grow closer to that goal.  To think we will ever get to a point where we become stagnant in our growth is arrogance.  It is saying "I have figured God out. I've put him in a box. Now that I'm done growing; now that I'm perfect, I don't need Him anymore."  It's arrogance.  Period.

Our life is filled with blessings and trials.  Gains and losses.  Pleasure and pain.  Friends and enemies.  Goodbyes and reunitings.  It only ends the day our heart stops beating.  In the meantime, we need to take these things and let them start molding us into the person He wants us to be.

We are always growing, but very often, a good deal of our growth comes through hardships.  Sometimes the only way we can learn or heal is through the rough spots.  If we are constantly running from our trials, we aren't allowing God to work.

The scariest thing in the world is submission. Giving up your own will. Trusting that the outcome will be what is best.

The scariest thing in the world is standing there alone with arms open wide and embracing the trial head on.  To allow it to wash over you is the first step in allowing God's hand to work.  It is the first step in allowing growth to take place.  Perseverance through it all is what makes us stronger.  Faith through the hardships is what draws us closer to Him.  But even after the trial is over, growth continues and God still works.  It is a terrifying but beautiful process.  And it is all worth it.

If we look to Him in those moments of fear, we can have the assurance that there is something bigger in all of this.  There is a purpose.  In those moments we feel absolutely alone, if we turn to Him for guidance and comfort, we will find it.  It may not be immediate, but we can rest in the fact that He loves and has a plan.  Regardless of anything that happens, we need to stand firm in what He's called us to do.  We need to follow His leading, even if it doesn't make sense.  As we do, even in the midst of the terrifying confusion, we can rest in the knowledge that He has a purpose in what He leads us to do.


It is in those moments that we catch a glimpse of who He is; it is in those moments when a little more growth takes place. It is a lifelong process and though it is not always easy, it is undoubtedly beautiful.