After years of living the Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 seasons of my life’s journey, I have decided to choose a new perspective on the line of demarcation that marks my birthday from year to year – that marks the passing of time, in general. I am certainly no longer growing up nor have I chosen to say that I am growing older. Rather, the desire of my heart from year to year is to note that I am growing.
As seasons, years and birthdays come and go, as I traverse the hills and valleys of the path and plan that the Lord has designed for my life, my greatest desire is to be growing in Him.
Spiritual growth is like all other kinds of growth – it starts small; it takes one day at a time; it is a journey; it involves discipline and patience; it is comprised of hills and valleys – highs and lows; it is best nourished with the counsel of others; and it is made stronger in life’s experiences as we are drawn closer to Him. Each day is a building block in committing to growing in Him. In this way, from year to year, we may look back and know that we have become more like Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 11:1).
As I, then, reflect on how to best describe the passing of time from year to year and actually contemplate the very best birthday gift, it is most significantly growing in Him.
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