Real Growth in Life
Recently, my sister and I decided to have someone come and take care of my mom’s lawn and property. For a while, my sister was trying to do it herself while also managing her own yard. She made a brave effort to keep the grass cut, watered, and weeds pulled. In fact, she even says that tending the lawn is relaxing for her—haha! But she just couldn't keep up so we made the decision to bring in a professional to handle the lawn regularly. It’s made a big difference, and now the yard is healthier and looks much better.
This made me think about our walk with Jesus and how important it is to invest time and effort in a relationship that’s alive and thriving. A relationship with God shouldn't feel like a “have to,” but a “want to”—something we do because we value it. Just like our lawn, which needs consistent care—watering, aerating, trimming—our spiritual walk also needs regular attention.
So here’s the big question for today: If we put effort into thriving in the things we care about every day, why would we think that our walk with Jesus should be any different? Can we truly expect a single moment of transformation—like a simple prayer or a church service—to carry us through? Or does real growth come from ongoing investment and intentionality?
In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul talks about the kind of intention we should live with as Christians:
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
In the Bible Believers Commentary this was the statement about Paul and his “goal-pressing” after his conversion from Saul to Paul: “It was that Paul might from then on be a pattern-saint, that God might show through him what Christ can do in a human life.”
Think about that statement—“…that God might show through him what Christ can do in a human life.” Are we living with that same level of purpose? Do we wake up each day asking God what He wants, rather than just sharing our wish list?
I know life—and especially managing an organization like CTN—can be stressful. But even as I write this, I feel convicted. I try to start each day asking the Holy Spirit what He wants for me, but the busyness can distract me. Over time, I’ve noticed that my relationship with Jesus can start to feel more “transactional”—just going through the motions rather than genuine connection. That’s why it’s so important to keep our first love alive and vibrant, just like a healthy lawn that needs watering, aeration, and trimming. Our walks with God need to be watered with the Word each day, we need the Holy Spirit to “dig up” stuff in us (aeration) and we need correction in our life or a little “trimming” when necessary.
Today, you have the chance to walk in a power and authority beyond what you can imagine. And here’s the best part: God is the miracle grow that will help you not just survive but truly thrive—until He calls you home to heaven!