“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen” 2 Pet. 3:18.

Did you ever notice that we are born to grow? Every time a new baby comes along, the proud parents quote the inches, the pounds, the ounces- the measurements. And from then on, it’s a race to add to those measurements and keep moving in the right direction. My five-year-old makes daily complaints that the only people she knows who are younger than her are babies. She wants to grow older! The toddlers in the church Sunday School class are always comparing- who is the tallest?! Of course, after a certain age, we start talking about growth differently. We want to grow in our careers, grow in our relationships, grow in our achievements, and accomplish our goals. We have simply found a new measuring stick. As we advance into old age, we still think about growing, only then we’re realizing the process may be reversing. Haha! “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” says Matt. 6:27.

Well, as the New Year of 2024 rolls around, and time marches on, I want to Grow. With all my heart, I want to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual growth is a lifelong process of God working in us both “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Two of my favorite Bible verses are Heb. 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace… make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” God the Father, through the finished work of Christ, by the power of His Holy Spirit that dwelleth in us, does the perfecting in our lives. We grow in grace by our desire to please Him and obey His will. He sends the sunshine and rain. He plants and prunes and gathers the fruit in its season. We send down deep roots and lift our faces to the sun and offer ourselves and our labors to Him. The secret to spiritual growth is found in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.”