Public and Private Growth

January 23, 2025

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another … Hebrews 10:25 NLT

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:2 NLT

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7 NLT

For the last few years, I have been gifted each Christmas with an amaryllis bulb. They completely fascinate me. Every few days when a regular visitor pops in, they see significant growth. But each morning when I wake up, it has grown so obviously that I feel like if I had stayed awake and stared at it all night, I would have watched it open in front of my eyes!

That’s a small picture of spiritual growth to me. There are some things we do that are quickly publicly obvious because we interact with other people for the growth to happen. But if we are truly growing, there is also significant activity no one sees but God and me. God uses Providential Relationships and Private Disciplines.

God knows just the right people we need in our lives to help us grow in each season of life, and He knows the people that need us too. When we regularly choose to participate in church gatherings and activities with God’s people, we find amazing people who will impact us for eternity. Our kindness to someone at any stage of their journey may lead to a surprise relationship God will use to speak into our lives or theirs for long-lasting impact.

But, as vital as those relationships are, we can’t count on them for all of our growth. Like the amaryllis, growth depends on the things that are happening out of sight. Jesus told us to make sure our “righteousness” was not performed for public notice, but with our Father, who sees in secret. These disciplines include regular time with God reading His Word, prayer, worship, and giving.

Keep in mind, both are activities. However, the goal of all of this is not about doing as much as it is about being: being like Jesus and being with Jesus. The way to grow in being more like Jesus is through these catalysts that God has given us. The Fruit of the Spirit (for instance joy, peace) is not for us to TRY to produce. It is the result of becoming like Jesus, training in godliness. When we learn and apply, we grow. We look more and more like Jesus and the fruit appears.

• Thank God for the providential relationships in your life. Celebrate what God is doing through your private disciplines and pick a place to grow more.