(a chapter from the section, The Growth Paradigm, of my book, Heaven on Earth)
Growth has natural origins in the Creator’s plans. Plants grow naturally… Animals grow naturally… People grow naturally… …if they are given the favorable conditions for growth. In this part of the book, The Growth Paradigm, we will look at people growth. The Bible tells us in [1 Corinthians 15:46 NIV] that the natural comes before the spiritual.
The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.
Adam, the natural man, came before Jesus Christ, the spiritual man. Abraham, the natural man of faith and covenant, came before the Jesus Christ, the spiritual man of faith and covenant. David, the natural man anointed as king over Israel, came before Jesus Christ, the spiritual King over the kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
In this part of the book The Growth Paradigm, we talk specifically about growth in people and growth in individuals, who then cause, effect and result in community growth. Healthy and functional individuals will form healthy and functional families. Healthy and functional families will form healthy and functional communities. Healthy and functional communities will form healthy and functional nations.
When we talk about natural growth, perhaps we first think about our growth in years spent on earth since we were born. Natural growth also includes the way we think and the way we feel, our mental maturity and our emotional maturity, and then we have our wisdom faculties. The Bible speaks of wisdom, and honors spiritual wisdom above natural wisdom. Spiritual wisdom is the wisdom that we receive as a gift of God. The Bible asserts (and we believe by faith) that Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God.
In my own strength, I am not doing anything extraordinary. I am just taking a walk with God every minute of every day. Every day is a brand new day. Every step is a step into the unknown and an unexpected surprise. In Christ, I am doing extraordinary things, the full extent of which I may never know in the natural on this earth. In the blazing heat of a noon day sun, there is a cooling effect of a balmy ocean breeze. Even though unfamiliarity may be uncomfortable and uncertain, God provides all the blessings and resources that strengthen and comfort me.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
There are many ways with which we can address the issue of personal growth. The “world” and the “thoughts of humankind” have made the way for much of human progress. The Bible asserts that God’s ways are higher than our ways and God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
My personal journey in life might have looked turbulent brought on by challenging experiences not from God. God has been able to turn around every single one of these unfortunate events into a growth opportunity. My rate of growth in the hands of the Lord has been running at the near maximum of my pain threshold. This is how the Lord has been able to accelerate my personal spiritual growth right up to this point in time. I have learnt that whatever circumstances Satan can throw at me, God is more powerful, mighty and magnificent.
Turbulence through life is characterized by both change and growth.
Change leads to growth, and growth leads to change. – John C. Maxwell, The Winning Attitude
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Flow of God’s Grace
Laa dee daa, laa dee dum …
Nothing very ho hum …
In the flow of God’s grace …
God is so very good …
To be blessed by His hand …
To be touched by His heart …
To leave behind our limitations …
To find our destiny beyond …
To be blessed by His hand …
To be touched by His heart …
To shed the lead weights of sin …
To respond to His love …
To be blessed by His hand …
To be touched by His heart …
To overcome the hurdles set before us …
To finish the race in due time …
All for His glory …
All for His purposes …
What could we ever do …
To deserve this grace …
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.