[Tuesday's Devotional] - Growing

So we grow.  In size, strength, and knowledge.  As a person it is to be hoped that we grow in understanding and intelligence too.  We develop over the years to what we call maturity.  We come to learn about the world around us and how to live, behave, and sometimes to survive, depending on where we are and the conditions around us.

If, unlike me, you came to know God through Jesus sooner rather than later, then you have a good start.  However that is only the beginning, since you now have to develop and grow in understanding, and to bring yourself ever closer to God.  You will do this through prayer, listening for God's promptings, through reading God's word in the Bible, and by constantly trying to live more like Jesus as time goes by.  It's not easy, is it?

So we grow into and through adulthood, learning more about God (hopefully) and with a good start become a good Christian member of our community. As I said earlier, I hope you made an earlier start to loving Jesus and finding God than I did.  But none of us can rest on our laurels, and those of us who are late starters have to try that bit harder to get where we all want to be. And if you glance over your shoulder you may catch a glimpse of us catching up, although it's not a race! Anyway, the first shall be last we are told.

Lord, help us to grow in understanding and love, and to grow ever closer to you, that in due course we may be worthy to be where you are for all time. Amen.

Jim Finch