Growing Two Ways
GROWING TWO WAYS
Read Colossians 1:10-12.
It was time to measure again. José was eager to see how much he’d grown. For four years now, Dad had marked the new height on his closet door.
“When Aunt Carmen comes home from the mission field,” José said, “she’ll be surprised by how much I’ve grown!”
“Four years make quite a difference,” his dad agreed.
José remembered the day Aunt Carmen had left for the mission field. He had just asked Jesus to be his Savior. Aunt Carmen had been so pleased. She’d hugged him when they saw her off at the airport. “You’ll be practically grown by the time I come home,” she had said. “I’ll pray you grow to be more like Jesus, too!”
And now Aunt Carmen was due to return. José knew she would notice his physical growth. But would she see spiritual growth as well? He decided to ask Dad about it.
Dad smiled. “That’s a good question,” he said. “Now, let’s see—I know that you used to have a terrible temper. Do you think you’re controlling it better now?”
“I yelled at Nathan last week,” José confessed. “But I apologized later.”
Dad nodded. “I’d say that’s progress. And what about those boys you’ve been inviting to church? I think you’ve made progress in helping others learn about Jesus. What about Bible knowledge? Do you know more about God than you did when Aunt Carmen left?”
José nodded. “Yeah. I’ve learned a lot in Sunday school.”
“Then Aunt Carmen ought to be pleased—like I am,” said Dad.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you taken inventory to see if you’ve grown spiritually? Are you more friendly, kind, and loving than you used to be?
TO MEMORIZE:
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18
GROW SPIRITUALLY.
From the book
