Growing Home

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Last month, we looked at how we handle FIRSTS, and I left you with the mention of first base. I told you we would talk about baseball.

 

I’m no expert, but even without knowing much about the game, most people know you have to reach first base before you go to second. There’s no skipping bases! The umpire makes sure of that!

 

Life is like a baseball game.

 

To score, you have to make some home runs—you have to make it to first, second and third base. Apply that to the actions, successes, lessons and maturity of life. If you are going to do the BIG things God has for you, you have to do some smaller things first.

 

We may want to jump ahead of where we are and act bigger, smarter or stronger without taking the time to grow, study or exercise. At your age, when I was told I couldn’t do something, I sometimes thought, I’m old enough to do that! Why won’t they let me? From taking my bicycle training wheels off to wanting to drive a car, I believed I was able to do ANYTHING! The truth is, eventually you can reach any goal you and Jesus set for yourself, Superkid. But you cannot go from training wheels to driving a car overnight. Your body has to grow and develop, and you have to study the rules of the road and learn how to operate a car, and then you have to practice driving with a parent or teacher.

 

You can’t start at the top in any sport, class or lesson. You begin on the floor in gymnastics and eventually work up to the high beam. You start with a simple piano book before you play concert piano. So, the rules of baseball apply in life too. The growth process affects every area of life…forever.

 

It may not sound like a big deal, but shortcut thinking can keep you dissatisfied your whole life—always wanting more, never truly enjoying TODAY! If you stop and think about it, the Lord will show you where you have been impatient, wanting to race ahead of your growth in an area. We’ve all done it, but I have some good news for you! There is a secret weapon on the inside of you! PATIENCE will help you while you are growing. I have found that sometimes I wanted my FAITH to be ready to receive something huge when I hadn’t practiced on something small. Of course, you can have the huge thing you are believing for, but your faith has to develop. James 1:3 (New Living Translation) tells us that when our faith is tested, our endurance (patience) has a chance to grow. Verse 4 (NLT) says, “So let it grow, for when your [patience] is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

 

When we develop patience, we continue to grow, our faith continues to grow, and we WILL come to where we want to be. Living like this, we can enjoy every stage of growth instead of being dissatisfied or unthankful for where we are today.

 

I like the way Colossians 2:7 (NLT) says it, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.” Superkid, roots take time to grow deep, but if you keep walking by faith, it happens. The rest of that verse says, “Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with THANKFULNESS.” And thankfulness leads to God’s best. Hebrews 10:36 says, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised” (NLT).

 

Even Jesus had to learn this lesson. In Luke 2:41-51, Jesus had gone with His parents to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. A full day into their trip home, Jesus’ parents realized He was missing! They returned to Jerusalem and found him in the Temple asking questions and talking with the priests and leaders. He’d been gone for three days! He must have thought He was old enough to go to the Temple by Himself, but the Bible says His mother scolded Him. Verse 51 tells us that “he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them” (NLT). Imagine, the Son of God, yet He knew He needed to grow up. Luke 2:52 (The Passion Translation) says, “As Jesus GREW, so did his wisdom and maturity. The favor of men INCREASED upon his life, for he was loved greatly by God.”

 

Superkid, YOU, too, are greatly loved by God, as you are growing up! And, just about the time you think you’ve arrived, the Lord will lead you into something new and even more exciting. He has bigger plans than you can see, but one thing is certain: He plans for you to keep growing and keep reaching your goals. He plans for you to be like Jesus—growing up in wisdom, maturity and all good things! Jesus will make sure you make it to first base, second, third and into HOME. And, Superkid, I’ll be cheering all the way! ♥

 

Living like this, we can enjoy every stage of growth instead of being dissatisfied or unthankful for where we are today.

 

Kellie Copeland