Grow

By: Jonathan Dodson

The word "grow" has evolved into an unnoticed metaphor in the English language. We talk about growing our gardens, growing our savings, growing our leadership, the growth of our children, the growth of our business or ministry, and even our own spiritual growth. But what does it mean to truly "grow"?

The call to spiritual growth is ubiquitous in Scripture. Adam was created to grow in his love for God and for Eve. Israel was commanded to grow into a holy, worshiping multitude (Gen. 48:16). The prophets rebuked and praised Israel for their failure and success in growth (Isa. 17; Jer. 12). Jesus compared our growth to seeds that bear thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold (Mark 4:8). Peter commands us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).

Spiritual growth is clearly a biblical theme, but it can be difficult to detect, frustrating to foster, and even painful to experience. When we place our growth in the context of messy relationships and demanding work, it gets even harder. A demanding deadline or an unsympathetic friend can seem like an obstacle to growth instead of an opportunity.

Spiritual Growth Happens Best in Work and Community
As it turns out, God created us to grow in and through difficult connections with others. In Ephesians, Paul reveals the communal nature of spiritual growth when he writes: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love" (Eph. 4:15-16).

We don't grow in isolation from people and work; we grow with and through them. We are designed to grow up in every way (including work) into Christ together (in community). The burden of difficult people and challenging work can help us learn to depend on Jesus not ourselves.

Spiritual growth happens in earthy places. Under the demand of deadlines, our true character comes out. Will we be gracious or impatient? Will we work with a grumbling or enduring spirit? Will we take out frustrations on our fellow employees, or counsel our hearts and avoid sinning against them (Ps. 4; Eph. 4)?

The challenges of work and community press us into grace so that we can produce the fruit of spiritual growth—the full stature of Christ (Eph. 4:13). The full stature of Christ is both personal and communal. We grow personally more like Christ, but we do so through the community, the body of Christ. We need one another to speak the truth in love, to correct us when we aren't embracing God's appointed grace for our spiritual growth.

WB HighCalling Journal