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I believe myself and most Christians have the wrong view of growth.

We envision “Road to
Damascus”type growth: A light comes beaming out of the sky,
God shows up and the next day we are a changed person.
 
But 99 % of growth doesn’t work this way.
 
 
 

So we realize something about our self: Whether an enslaving sin, bad personality trait or a wrong
way of thinking.

 We repent before God.
We pray a prayer for change and freedom and then subconsciously expect to be
done with it.

Then it doesn’t. The next day, week, whatever – we find
ourselves thinking the same thought, acting the same way or struggling to believe
an old truth.
 
And as a result we believe we have failed or that we weren’t genuine
enough in wanting to change.
 
 
 

Sound familiar? Because it sure has been my life story.

But what if at the
core our understanding of God and the process of growth He takes us on is off?

I believe that growth
takes time and that God has purposely designed it that way. And I believe
that as humans “Damascus” type growth isn’t supposed to be the norm.
 
 
 
God sets the pace and
changes us. And that pace is often slower
and different then how we would do
things.
 
Be honest: Think of a certain sin or better yet a bad
personality trait – wouldn’t you just want to be done with it a lot quicker?
 
 
But instead we walk this stuff out with Him daily.
 
 
 
 
Every day we
are forced to invite the Spirit into our junk and ask for help. Every day we must connect in intimacy
with our Heavenly Dad. Every day we need His grace to
overwhelm our shortcomings.
 
And behind all this
is RELATIONSHIP.
 
 
 
 
Because yes God wants us to get the lesson and
change but at the CORE He
wants us to get to know each other better.
 
So as the days roll on and we must keep seeking Him in new
ways – the things that don’t look like Him melt away. He has deliberately set
life up this way because He is a relational God.
 
 
 
God hasn’t been
demanding Perfection. WE HAVE.
 
 
 

I read a quote
yesterday, “If there is such a thing as Human
Perfection, it seems to emerge precisely from how we handle the imperfection
that is everywhere. ESPECIALLY OUR OWN. “

Then adding on “….Perfection is a mathematical or divine
concept, goodness is a beautiful concept that includes us all!” – Richard Rohr
 
 
 
We have changed, our changing
and will always need to change.
 
 
 

The quicker we accept that the less condemning life will
feel.

Otherwise we go through life demanding and performing for a
perfection we can never attain to.

And in that process never give others the Grace that we are not
giving ourselves.
 
 
 
 

So my “BEST”spiritually doesn’t at all
look like perfection. My “Best” spiritually won’t be as
mature as other Christians BEST.

All I bring to the table is: Willingness. Repentance. And Reliance on God.
 
 
He will gladly do the rest on His timing all while we get to
know each other better.
 
 
 
 
 
With this view of growth and God everything changes.
 

I
don’t compare myself with others relationship with God. I don’t try to set a
pace of growth I have never been in control of. I allow grace to fill the
cracks, crevices and gaping holes of my life and relationships.

And I know that every challenge I receive comes from a God
that loves me unconditionally, knows I can’t be perfect and loves the process.
 
 
 
This allows me to process and grow in an Ocean of Love,
Acceptance, Approval and Grace.
 
 

Our Best
isn’t the same as it will be in the Future. It won’t ever be the same as
others Best. But God knows your heart behind it all and that’s a really good
thing.