Word of the Week - Growth

Not that I have obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.  But the one thing I do:  Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 2:12-14

Continued Growth – I have heard it said that if we are not growing we are dying.  In order for us to become mature and complete, not lacking anything, we must be on a continuous path of growth in all dimensions of life.  Although the pace of growth may vary and slow as we age, it is paramount to our health that we continue to learn and grow throughout our life.  I believe this is key to living a life of fulfillment and significance.  The definition of a mature person is someone who has reached full growth mentally, emotionally and spiritually, this is a lifelong process.  The joy is in the journey toward realizing your full God given potential.

My Personal Experience -  Ever since becoming a true follower of Christ over 20 years ago, I have come to love and enjoy the journey of continued growth and learning.  With the right godly perspective, we can see this as a blessing and a joy, not a duty or job and enjoy the “Everlasting Adventure”.  I recently had the privilege to take a trip with my friend John Maxwell to South America on a “Vision” trip to Paraguay and Brazil to see what John and his team are doing through his Equip Ministry aka Transform Paraguay and Brazil.  I was blown away by how God is using John and his team to truly transform these countries through a strategy of teaching biblical values and leadership in all streams of influence, starting with young people through the Ministry of Education.  I was able to witness leadership, service and growth at a level I had never seen and it was truly life changing and quite inspiring.  I spent 5 days with John Maxwell from sun up to late in the evenings and observed this 74 year old brother, who is a world renown expert on leadership, add-value, serve, learn and grow as if he was a young man overflowing with energy.  It was amazing and quite contagious.  No matter how old we are and what level of success we think we have achieved, there is always opportunity to grow and develop.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.  Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of the others”.  Philippians 2:3-4

10 Nuggets for Continued Growth from John Maxwell:

• Intentional Learner – Growth does not just happen  
• Self-Aware – You must know yourself to grow yourself  
• Believe in Yourself – Value yourself and add value to yourself
• Set aside time to reflect – taking time to pause, reflect and evaluate gives us better perspective
• Embrace Daily Disciplines – disciplines keep us going and growing  
• Seek out great people to learn from – show me your friends I will show you your future
• Grow from the inside out – character is key to wholesome growth  
• Stretch yourself – growth stops when you lose tension between where you are and where you could be 
• Ask more questions – growth is stimulated by asking why
• Help yourself by helping others – we grow when we help others grow – be a mentor  

So let’s strain forward to what lies ahead and press forward toward the goal and prize of growing upward to reach our full potential in Christ Jesus.   

Have a great week!!!

-Duane