You might not know that you're growing.

I've found that if I point out to someone that they are growing Spiritually, they are usually shocked. Stunned even!  Many people feel that, if anything, they are doing poorly in terms of their own growth.  The article linked below gives some reasons as to why that might be.  

One quote in particular offers a challenge that, if taken to heart, could serve to bless other people in a big way. Few things inspire people to work harder than tasting the fruit of success.  Many people never taste it all in regard to their own growth simply because they don't perceive themselves to be growing.  That's a shame. They need others to help them see what God is doing.  Imagine what could happen if as a community we became strongly disciplined in pointing out evidences of God's grace in other's lives! 

As the church, it is important that we point out and celebrate growth in one another’s lives. We are so individualistic, proud, and insecure that we rarely celebrate growth in another person’s life. Make a habit of pointing out growth you see in others, and celebrate God’s grace. Be a good church family.

Read the article at theresurgence.com.  Very good.  Very short.  (In fact, my post about the article is almost as long as the article itself. :-)

Comments

[John Vitiello]

I have found in my life that benchmarks are a very useful tool in guaging incremental progress.

For instance, last January I started kickboxing to loose weight and get in shape. Over the next few months the bathroom scale said I was loosing weight but I didn't feel all that much stronger/healthier. Then in May, I took out my bicycle as I do every spring. I have a speedometer on it and for years I have kept detailed records of the distance and average speed of each ride. Usually in the spring my rides are slow and short and they generally improve throughout the summer.

WOW.

My first ride this year was better than my best ride from all of last year! It now became abundantly clear just what good the kick boxing had done. I was amazed.

The same thing can be done with faith. I'm a new Christian and with the holidays coming, there are several gatherings coming up that in the past have been challenging (and my recollections of those challenges are vivid). I'm looking forward to experiencing those occasions this year and having a benchmark in my memory that will allow me to guage how I have grown.

We all have periodic occasions and experiences that can serve as benchmarks to guage our growth. Give it a try.

Best,
John