Growing

Whenever I drive north of town, a certain field always catches my eye.  On the right side of the road, a couple rows of trees lean quite noticeably to the north, stretching their trunks more toward the big dipper than the noontime sun.  This natural quirk leaves me perplexed.  What caused these trees to grow in such an unusual way?

The question could also be applied to people in a spiritual sense.  What causes some people to grow straight and tall as if stretching toward the heavens, while others struggle to find their direction?  Can we determine the direction toward which our own lives grow?

For plants, the secret lies in growth hormones called auxins.  These hormones cause a plant to bend toward the light and away from gravity.  The word auxin comes from the same Greek word, meaning “to cause growth,” that Peter used in 2 Peter 3:18 where he wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (NIV).  Peter’s careful word choice and the verb form he used teach us a great deal about our own spiritual growth:  (1) growth is not optional, it is imperative; (2) growth is not reserved for the future or stuck in the past, it is to occur right now; (3) growth ought to be continual and unceasing; (4) growth is not something that happens passively, we have an active part.

As the trees in that nearby field have grown in the same direction together, much of our spiritual growth takes place as we surround ourselves with others who seek to grow in the same direction.  It remains imperative that we actively place ourselves in environments that enable us to learn more about the Bible, discuss with others what it means to live as a follower of Jesus, gain support from one another in the midst of living life, be encouraged, and encourage others to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  Let’s be people who grow straight and tall as stretching toward the heavens for the glory of God!

The Destination

It was my senior year in high school, the second to last track meet of the year. I had only run the hurdles once before and in fact I wasn’t very good. However, this day I knew would prove differently; it was my last chance before graduating. I wanted more than anything to finish my running career well. I worked harder than ever for this race.

 

Soon, a voice beckoned through the loud speakers, “last call for the 300 meter hurdles, last call for the 300 meter hurdles.” I approached the starting blocks. “Runners to your mark…” “Get set…” BANG! We were off.

 

I strode over the first hurdle without a problem, the same for the second and third. As I rounded the first turn I realized my position toward the front. I found myself a little too excited as I stumbled a little on the next hurdle, but I kept running.

 

Rounding the next turn a few more runners slowly dropped behind. As I approached the final straightaway, I saw the finish line. I took the lead and the gap widened. As I accelerated down the straightaway the fans rejoiced in a majestic crescendo, “steve! Steve!! STEVE!!!”

 

The finish line quickly drew near. As I arrived at the final hurdle, my mind recalled the previous stumble a few hurdles back. “Just don’t trip, whatever you do, don’t trip!” I thought to myself. I stepped to the hurdle, lifted my leg, and left the ground only to return to the track in a heap on the other side. Down I went shoulder first into the asphalt. A hush came over the crowd—the sort of silence which remains so quiet you could almost hear it. Then, in the unison of a well polished choir, the fans displayed their sympathy… “OHHHHH!” I stumbled across the finish line in fifth place, quickly retreating to my own corner of the field to nurse my wounds.

 

Only one thing prevented me from winning the race that day: simply stated, I took my eyes off of the goal. In the spiritual race of life it seems so easy to fall short of becoming the people whom God would intend us to be. Many distractions grab our eyes away from the Goal. Fixated on the obstacles, we stumble and fall, missing out on the victory awaiting us.

 

What is the Goal of the Christian life, this mark upon which we must fix our gaze? Perhaps this is in line with the philosophical inquiry, “what is the meaning of life?” This age-old question remains at the center of debate throughout the centuries with only a handful of philosophers offering answers with any substance.

 

Over the past nearly two-thousand years of church history, the measure of a true Christian has evolved based on geographic location, cultural perspectives, and historical influences. For example, during the age of Roman persecution, the defining mark of a true Christian included martyrdom. A saintly follower of Jesus would certainly stand strong under the most oppressive resistance. After Constantine signed the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. bringing religious freedom throughout the empire, a new crisis emerged for the Christian. Without the hope of martyrdom, how does one demonstrate complete devotion to Christ? A new aspiration arose as many fled to the desert, giving up wealth, position, and comfort to display their love for Christ in solitude and a new form of sacrifice. As time unfolds, each era and culture brings a new perspective on the ultimate measure of devotion to Jesus. This spiritual evolution seems to be a reality. However, the questions need to be posed, does the true Goal of Christianity change based on one’s setting, or does there exist a universal spiritual climax toward which all must strive?

 

The Apostle Paul painted a picture of a universal aim; a Goal so lofty it seems to be propelled far out of reach, such that only a few saints can touch the fringes, yet it remains offered as something obtainable for anyone. If anyone ever plunged the depths of the spiritual life, thrusting his torso across the finish line while still on this earth, one would assume it to be the Apostle Paul. However, even after many of his great missionary efforts, imprisonments, and writing the majority of our New Testament, Paul in speaking of life’s goal claimed not to have obtained it (Philippians 3:12); yet he was resolved to press on toward this goal with all his might, so much so that he considered all things as dung (, Philippians 3:8) compared to the greatness of this Goal (, from which the English word scope derives). This Goal for Paul was “knowing Christ,” not merely knowing about Christ, nor praying a certain prayer and leaving it at that, but knowing Jesus so intimately that there exists a fellowship through shared suffering, a real experience of the power of his resurrection, and a becoming like Jesus Christ Himself.

 

So often, we tend to settle for a second place Christianity. We assume others will be more holy, achieve more for the Kingdom, serve greater masses of humanity, so we run a little more slowly, train a little less vigorously, and settle for a little more idleness. Yet in so doing, we might just be missing out on a spiritual depth beyond comprehension, a ministry impact that remains world reaching, or a humble service to others, perhaps even to the masses.

 

Maybe we have obtained some of the spiritual measures we or others have set. We might have prayed “the prayer”, or built big ministries, or adhered to what we perceive to be the “correct” political and cultural beliefs. However, when we strive toward the ultimate Goal of truly, deeply, passionately knowing the King of kings we can’t help but realize how far we have yet to run. However, with an end so incredible, there remains no room for settling on second place.