How Big Can I Grow?

Checking in at Five Minute Friday, where we write for five minutes on a given prompt, and this week we're writing about GROW.  

We went outside late yesterday to pick up all the large dried seed pods off the ground and put them in a bag for burning.  They make great fire starters.   Little Abi, who is 3, was keen to collect as many seeds out of them as possible, before relinquishing the pods to the fire pile.   She put all the seeds very carefully into her container.  

Looking at that tiny seed in her hand, it's hard to believe it could grow into a massive tree. 

The seed was so small to compared to even her small hand, and she was so tiny compared to that massive tree.  

How much did that seed grow and what happened along the way?  How many seasons has that tree seen?   How much was it sheltered in its early years?  How many storms has it endured?

How do we grow? 

We need the right conditions to grow so big and strong, yes, but I think we need to cooperate with Him. 

I guess seeds and trees don't get a lot of say about where they grow and how. 

But we do.  It seems we have a great deal to say about where we grow and how.  It's not Him that stops us from growing, because that's His desire for us.  He is a creative, life-giving, nurturing, growing God and He wants that for us.  

What stops us from growing?   What stunts our growth?    I guess circumstances, pain, abuse, rejection, lack of opportunities, illness - all these can stunt us, but not if we keep submitting those to Him.  I wonder if what really stunts our growth is not what happens to us, but what we hold onto - bitterness, unforgiveness, lies, self-protection, fear, pain, scars, idols, strongholds - I wonder if these are the things that stunt our growth, not what happens to us. 

I see this massive tree sheltering several nests and think about what He wants for us - to be a strong tree, rooted in Him, to stand tall and be a place of shelter and an example of His glory. 

It seems that in this verse from 2 Peter, we are commanded to grow, charged with growth like it is OUR responsibility to grow.  He is the Gardener, but we must cooperate.  

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.   2 Pet 3:18