The ability to Grow and Thrive is our way to engage with the God’s redemptive plan. God has created us with a capacity to think and feel. We are able to learn about God’s creation and enjoy his handiwork. God has revealed Himself to all people through creation (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20).
Adam, the first man, discovered God’s creation by naming the animals. His knowledge grew as he discovered all that God had created. Jesus, God incarnate, increased in wisdom throughout his life (Luke 2:52). As people created in God’s image, part of our life is to grow.
God’s creation can be both studied (an aspect of growing) and enjoyed (an aspect of thriving). Much of the common experience of schooling is learning about the world around us. And yet, the knowledge of God’s revelation in creation is not sufficient for salvation.
The Bible instructs us to grow and reveals life to the full. True growth however comes about through a knowledge of our own sinfulness and the grace God extends to us through His son. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity (2 Peter 3:18). We are to grow in every way into Christ (Ephesians 4:15)
God intends us to thrive. Life will not always be easy. We have never been promised a trouble-free life, instead, we have the promise of God’s strength to overcome (Philippians 4:13). A life which has grown into Christ, will have abundant life and joy to the full (John 10:10; 15:11).
Paul Valese
