Growth and Striving

 

“How am I growing spiritually?”

 It’s a question that all Christians should ask themselves periodically. Treat it like a quarterly review at work. No I don’t get them either but I’ve had jobs where raises were based on performance. You start with a pretty meager hourly wage so making a good impression is essential. Impress the boss but don’t kiss up and make enemies of your fellow co-workers. At level 1 (that’s what I’ll call it) a good employee shows up for work on time, keeps the sick days to a minimum and does what he/she is told.

 Attitude is important too; no one likes a grumbler or a “bare minimum guy”. You know the type; they mop up the floor after a spill but only if told to, and very slowly. They avoid extras at all costs and never seem to be around when help is needed.

 Level 1 is a kind of baseline for everyone. If you can’t complete these fundamental requirements what good are you? But these are often where workers get tripped up.

The level 2 (clever titles huh?) worker aces level 1 and contributes on a larger scale. They don’t need to be asked to fix things or clean up floors. They understand when something is off or needs attention. When the toilet overflows they make sure it gets fixed by getting the right help or doing it themselves. They aren’t perfect but they can be counted on to handle responsibility that goes beyond just their job title. They get promoted easily because everyone likes to work with them, they’re team players.

For years I’ve transferred the idea of ‘good employee’ to spiritual growth, thinking incorrectly that Christians need to impress God and be rewarded with wealth, relationships and good health. I’d never say it that way of course, it’s too merit based and grubby. But underneath all the “God looks at our heart” talk, a lot of us are keeping score. We measure ourselves against others, sometimes unconsciously, and mark our progress the way toddlers measure their height on a wall with slashes.

Don’t misunderstand, our laboring is service and not obligation. Our strength to overcome the struggles of life comes from Jesus. When we stay connected He perfects us and our growth is easier when we follow His path. Here is John 15: 5-8

 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

 Our lives show God’s goodness and blessing, that’s our fruit. It’s the aspect of our character we exhibit to others around us. But we don’t strive for promotions in the competitive way like we do at work. John doesn’t say “abide and work hard on conquering you demons”. John is saying stay close to Jesus and don’t worry about the labor, the score, the progress.

 Step away from that wall that shows your last slash and let the Holy Spirit fill you. Our daily existence in Christ begins with humility and a Fear of the Lord. It’s Ok to track our progress as long as we understand the Christian life isn’t merit based. We don’t prove our diligence to the Heavenly Father and wait for the tokens when we’ve checked the boxes.

There is an inherent choice to make as a believer. As John says to those who don’t “abide” they are “cast out as a branch…” and tossed into the fire. The Father demands production of His children. We are given much and forgiven everything, but there is work to do. He needs us to reach the lost and the broken, the ones who might never know about His goodness without us.

That’s an awesome responsibility and not one we could ever work for anyway. It’s refreshing to lose our sense of striving for rewards and competing for affection. Forget about the levels and let the Holy Spirit build something you could never build alone.

 We couldn’t come up to His level, so He came down to ours.

He conquered death because we never could. What does He ask of us today? What is our service, our contribution, our job? Only this. . . abide, and let Him reveal your task so you can produce fruit for the kingdom.