We Get Better – Week Three

The Christian life is not meant to be stagnant. Over and again, the New Testament writers encourage growth and maturity. Where you are today should not be where you will be tomorrow. But dynamic faith doesn’t happen by accident.

Facing his impending death, the apostle Paul penned his last letter, the book of 2 Timothy. He opens by commending Timothy, and then reminds him to, “kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NASB) In other words, Paul is saying – Keep getting better. Grow. Don’t stop where you are. And whatever you do, don’t give in to complacency.

Thankfully, Paul doesn’t merely tell Timothy to grow but also helps him to know how. If you keep reading 2 Timothy, you will find a section I like to call “Lessons from Professionals.” Using familiar occupations, Paul provides practical tips and applications for spiritual growth.

First, we are introduced to the solider. When actively engaged in the military, a soldier must guard against becoming entangled in day to day life. Why? Because the success of their mission depends on it. Likewise, as Christians, we have a higher calling, and if we are not careful, we will become consumed with today and miss it. The soldier teaches us to focus and avoid distractions.

Second, we examine the life of an athlete. The ultimate goal is to win – whether that be the fastest time, the highest score, or the greatest strength. But all competitors are aware that if they don’t follow the rules, they risk disqualification. Think of the importance of referees in competitions. They ensure only those who are qualified and disciplined win the prize. To succeed in God’s kingdom, we have to compete according to His guidelines. Greatness is not only in what we accomplish but also in who we are and who we are becoming. The athlete teaches us to follow God’s way and not take the shortcut.

Next, we notice the farmer. The work of a farmer is in the long game and not the quick reward. The short harvest season follows a full year of cultivation and hard work. Paul observes that the faithful farmer should be the first to enjoy the crop he harvests. Following God is a life-long journey. Most often, we break up the soil, plant the seed, and then wait. We should rejoice in God’s work, not being so quick to move on to the next thing that we miss the gift of today. The farmer teaches us not to miss the celebration of the harvest.

What does it look like for you and me to focus, follow God’s way, and celebrate victories? How do we get better and grow – not for our greatness but for God’s glory?

Think about professionals. If you are an owner or manager, what type of employees do you want on your team. Probably those who are self-aware, hardworking, productive, and team players. But presumably not those who want to coast or just get by.

But what do we do when spiritually we feel ourselves slipping, when we don’t want to get better and grow, or when we feel stuck or unmotivated? We need to dive deep and honestly evaluate. Here are a few questions that you might ask yourself:

• Do I know my calling/gifts?
• Am I in place I can exercise my calling/gifts?
• Do I have room for growth? What is my cap?
• Do I have personal goals and objectives?
• Do I stop to recognize and celebrate wins?
• Do I have a loss or disappointment I haven’t dealt with?
• Who or what inspires me?

Identify the area that God is stirring in you and then take the next step to get better. Maybe you need to:

• Practice
• Read/listen/watch
• Take a class
• Ask for feedback
• Find a mentor who can push you
• Teach someone else
• Learn a new skill
• Develop creative hobbies

Instead of coasting or giving in to discouragement, choose life. Stir up the gift of God in you. And don’t miss the opportunities today.