Are you growing or not?

1 Peter 3:18a “… but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Are you growing or not?

For the past two years I have been a member of an advisory board for the Education Department at Cedarville University. In yesterday’s meeting we discussed the need for student teachers to improve their student assessment skills. It’s wonderful to have a clear objective and an interesting lesson plan, but the  real test is whether or not the students are growing in their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Without that something in the method of teaching needs to change.

Assessment is a part of life. Throughout your youth we regularly had each of you stand against the wall by the pantry door to measure your height.  There were times when we were amazed at how quickly your bodies stretched taller and taller. Other times it wasn’t so noticeable. But as long as we saw growth, we knew you were strong and healthy.

In school you take quizzes and tests to assess what areas need more practice. And at the end of the year you take final exams to see if you are ready to move on to the next grade. Though these evaluations are not always fun, they are important to assess your continual movement forward in education.

Regular visits to the doctor to assess our health are also important. As you get older you may need to take a stress test for an evaluation of your heart’s health or have regular screenings to determine if you have cancer or other maladies – again, not fun, but important to know!

Another area where we need to appraise ourselves regularly is our character and spiritual health. Peter says that the day of the Lord will come unannounced. The earth and the heavens will all pass away and a new heaven and earth will take their place. The question that needs to be answered is, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”

As we wait for our new home, we must be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. We must advance in our knowledge of the Scriptures so that we are not carried away by false doctrine. And we must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Are you growing in these areas? Are you more forgiving than you were last month? Do you have more patience with those around you? Do you know and understand God’s ways more than you did last year? It wouldn’t hurt to assess yourself regularly. Having a clear objective and numerous  church- and faith-related activities are not worth much if your life hasn’t changed.

So what’s the answer? Are you growing or not?

Love,

Mama