Grow On

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 2 Timothy 4:13

The Apostle Paul was on another level, right? He finds himself locked up in prison, about to meet His maker; but instead of counting down the time till he meets Jesus face to face, he’s arranging private Bible studies: ‘When you come bring my scrolls.’ (2 Timothy 4:13) Even at the end of his rope, Paul understood the importance of knowing God. He wasn’t satisfied with the memories of the good old days and all the adventures of the past, he was hungry for God until the very end. For Paul, growing and learning were a continual journey, not a destination.

Chances are you’ve taken an exam or ten. You might think they’re so stressful that you’ll avoid anything that resembles an exam paper for the rest of your life. But life-long learning is a reality you can’t escape if you’re going to move into everything God has for you. Staying as you are isn’t a viable option. Imagine a thirty year old man still drinking milk from a baby’s bottle (Try Hebrews 5:12). It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are, the point remains: God wants you to grow, to flourish, to get better.

Thinking about how we’re ‘small fish in a big sea’ in the scheme of creation should help you to realize you have growing room. When we kid ourselves into thinking we don’t need to learn any more about God, we lose a sense of wonder about the possibilities of what we can become in God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to continue to learn new things about You, and me and others and this world You created. In Jesus’ Name, Amen