As I mentioned last week, God told
me to go out every morning and to spend some time amongst the trees
in our garden. At first I was skeptical, but it turned out to be
the best time ever. I experienced God in such a profound way,
simply by standing under the trees. Every morning it feels as if I
am surrounded by Him and that He is telling me that He has
everything in my life under control. I needn't worry, if I am
rooted in Him and if I receive water and nutrition from the River
of living water, then I would flourish and be blessed in all
aspects of my life.
But I must be honest; it didn't
feel that way to me. I really felt as if things weren't going my
way, plus during this pandemic time I felt as if I was being tested
in every single front of my life. God's Word and His promises that
we read last week didn't feel real to me, as if it was meant for
someone else. Then one morning God showed me something. He told me
to have a closer look at the trees in our garden. And once I did, I
saw something. Every place where the trunk split into branches
there was a mark. Sort of like a stretch mark. I walked from tree
to tree and lo and behold, all of them had it. And I realized that
every time that the tree grew, it was a painful process and it left
a mark. But growth for the trees were necessary, they cannot thrive
and flourish without growth. To be honest if a small tree didn't
grow after being years in our garden, we would have taken it out by
now, as we want shade, privacy and the cheer joy of big trees. We
want trees to grow and bless us in the process.
And I realized that it is true of
us too. God wants us to grow. We cannot stay immature toddlers in
the faith. What a toddler can get away with, a grown man certainly
can't. If a grown man were to throw himself on the ground and kick
and scream if he doesn't get his way, he will be placed in a mental
home, whilst a toddler will merely be disciplined as he doesn't
know any better. The same is true spiritually. We cannot stay
toddlers in the faith, we simply cannot. It is embarrassing to God
and it does His Kingdom a whole lot of damage. He wants us to grow
and become the spiritual leaders that He destined us to become.
That is His dream for each one of us. And once we are, it is not
only very beneficial to us, but to the furtherance of His Kingdom
as well.
But to grow is painful, it is not
always pleasant and it can be truly uncomfortable at best. It may
leave scars and it may challenge us. But the process is necessary.
For you see the higher you grow, the more influence you have, and
the more influence you have, the more responsibilities are given to
you. And God wants to make sure that He can entrust you with it. So
small tests come around so that God can see with how much He can
entrust to you. And these tests and trials can stretch you to your
limits, but know that the ultimate outcome is good. God promises
that He will make ALL things work out for good for those who love
Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). ALL
things. Good things and bad things, trials and tribulations, all of
them. But then we must love God and follow Him with all our heart.
We must be grounded in Him and His Word and all He has to offer us.
Then the growing process will be a learning curve, leading to more
and more of Him and His goodness and grace, Hallelujah!
Be grounded in God, knowing that He
knows best! Grow by reading His Word, doing His Word, spending time
in His presence, drinking in His pure living water and talking to
Him throughout the day. Then stand still and watch Him at work in
your life. It is truly amazing, a humbling experience. God really
knows best, so even if things do not work out as you had planned,
rest assured that it will work out for the best.
Father, thank you that You never
leave us nor forsake us. Thank you that You are always there for us
and that You help us through the growing process. We thank you and
are humbled that You are always by our side. Amen