by Tom Wacaster
The Bible has a lot to say about growth. There are two passages from the pen of Peter that come to mind that are representative: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). “as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2). I wonder how many of you reading this article have thought to yourself, “Why can’t I seem to grow? What keeps me from becoming what I want to be? Why do I seem to dwell on the lower plains instead of soaring to the mountain top?”
The shelves of book stores are literally filled to overflowing with “self help” books, “How To” manuals, and a long running series of “You-Name-It for Dummies.” I came across one some time back that was titled, “Catholicism for Dummies.” Really! So, what is it about all these “self-improvement” books that makes them so popular? And what is it that stands between you and your determination to be better? Unfortunately, many a person looks for the answers to growth and personal development in the fluff on the book store shelf but bypass the one book that can help them grow so as to reach their full potential. Of course I speak of the Bible. Some time back I came across this interesting tidbit regarding personal growth and development:
It’s so easy to treat personal development as ‘optional’ and so few people ever take the time to actively improve themselves. Your personal growth and self development is arguably one of the most important things you can do with your time. You can even argue that to actualize your true potential is the purpose of being here. In many ways all your actions are geared towards ‘self improvement’. Everything you do, you do with a positive intent. This, however is mostly unconscious and for the majority of people it’s a case of pursuing ‘things’ and ‘stuff’ with the (all too common) assumption that when they get enough stuff they will be happy.
You don’t have to search too far to find just how wrong this theory really is. Every day we read about ‘extremely successful’ people who end up in rehab or who kill themselves. Why? To return to Charles Atlas – true success is but the development of your ‘self’. At no point in your life can you just stop and say ‘now I am successful – I think I’ll take the next 10 years off’. Unfortunately this is ‘the dream’ that so many people aspire to [author not provided].
Those who have studied the Bible know that the key to a lifetime of happiness lies in spiritual growth, not in the increase of the abundance of the things he might possess. They also know that life has to keep moving. If you are not growing, you are dying. We know this to be true. So why is it that so many of us, perhaps even some of you reading this article, fail to actively participate in the development of their lives? Why is it that so many simply fail to grow? May I suggest at least three barriers to growth.
Growth Barrier #1: Procrastination – One has said that “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday” (Don Marquis). Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “You may delay, but time will not.” Another has noted, “Procrastination is the irrational delay of tasks, especially important ones.” Some of those areas in which procrastination delays, dampens, and even destroys spiritual growth have to do with Bible study, prayer, and active involvement with our fellow human being.
Growth Barrier #2: Indecision – We are not the first to note that every single action is preceded by a decision. In the final analysis, a failure to act can be traced back to the failure to make decisions. On a recent road trip I stood in line behind a middle aged couple at Arby’s as they tried to decide what they wanted to order. I took the moment to go into the bathroom and wash my hands and when I came out they were still there, looking at the menu board and asking one another, “What do you want?” Thankfully, they allowed me to go ahead of them. Believe it or not, I gave my order, picked it up, and was at my table and half finished with my meal by the time they finally ordered. Someone has noted, “It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions.” The ironic thing is that not making a decision is a decision. Why do so many weak Christians remain immobile because they simply cannot decide when to study the Bible? Why do so many weak Christians refuse to make a decision well in advance of Sunday morning that they are going to be at services – Bible classes AND worship? Their indecision bars them from growth and in their indecision they die on the vine of good intentions. The late Gus Nichols was once asked why he had missed only one assembly of the Lord’s church is 35 years. He simply said that he had decided long ago to attend. Period.
Growth Barrier #3: Comfort Zones – Our “comfort zone” is that situation where we are, oddly enough, “comfortable.” You are familiar with the situation, at ease with your surroundings. There is not all that much to challenge you; or threaten you. Many of us have become “comfortable” sitting in front of the television, limiting our circle of friends and acquaintances, and remaining silent when someone challenges our beliefs and ideas. Consequently we do not grow. Instead we stagnate; and that is just another word for “die.” Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “Man’s mind, once stretched to new idea never goes back to it’s original dimensions.” Perhaps one reason why you are not growing is because you have entered your comfort zone and you do not want to leave. I’ll warn you ahead of time: once you leave your comfort zone you sacrifice your comfort for the good of others. But the reward that goes with it far outweighs any disadvantage that may come our way.
The choice is yours. Don’t let these barriers to growth hinder your spiritual development.