Let it Grow

With the decision to start a service mission I have felt the Lord pulling me in a lot of different ways. He seems to be stretching me & pulling me in ways I never thought I would have to be stretched. Not because I can't be, but because I don't want to be!! I've realized that this is what He would call "growth." 

Growing is an interesting thing. We look at it as a positive verb, yet when you are growing you are usually pretty negative about it. 

The definition of growth is - an increase, as in size, number, or value... now increase is good. We are taught that we are sent here to learn & to increase our knowledge & to become more like God. So, we are sent here to grow. 

In order to grow though, we must first be challenged or tested. I've already seen A LOT of that with trying to start my mission. 

Examples:

1: Public speaking is not my thing. If you know me, you know I speak fast & when I get nervous I get even faster. So I thought whoever decided it was a good idea to have me speak at church was crazy. I've always been taught to say yes when asked though, so when I was asked to speak I reluctantly said yes. I knew I needed to grow. Why? Beats me & I still don't know why. But I did speak in church & I was more comfortable than usual. The Lord knows our weaknesses & He will help us if we ask. 

2: I don't sing. Well I do, but not really in public. I'll sing in my car, or in church, & even in the shower, BUT not alone or in a duet in front of people. Apparently the Lord thinks otherwise. I have been asked to sing at a mission conference for the YCSM & though I'm extremely uncomfortable doing so, I know I must be uncomfortable to grow. 

Growth & opposition go hand in hand. We have growing pains before we can actually grow, babies hurt as they teeth, & learning new things can be uncomfortable. But it is that opposition that we need in order to feel the joy that comes after. 

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." And oh what joy growth can be!! 

Allow yourself to be uncomfortable every once & awhile, then experience the joy once you've grown a bit more in something. The Lord has a great plan for you!! But you have to step outside of your comfort zone to do it & let yourself grow!!