God Gives The Growth
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
—1 Corinthians 3:7
Thank God for the voices, movements, and ministries that contribute to the spiritual renewal of the church. We each likely have our pool of authors, preachers, worship bands, and devotionals that I go to to deepen our understanding of God’s kingdom and presence. Still, nothing compares to the work that God does through his Word and his Spirit.
God uses willing vessels to build his kingdom, but without the power of God and his grace supplied to us, there will be no growth. Only in the vine of Christ can we receive nourishment to flourish the way God desires.
I can look back and identify people who planted and watered the spiritual garden of my heart. These are precious voices that encourage and build me up. Just last night, I was able to talk with a friend and spiritual mentor for about an hour, unpacking the last few weeks and receiving encouragement. That connection was deeply meaningful, but the growth came from the Spirit of God working in our conversation. Everything we talked about was unto responding to the life God gives through his Spirit.
When we get in tune with the giver of life, we see God’s active work all around us. In simple moments, like reading Psalm 37 this morning and meditating on God’s word, I see God developing me. There is a deep renewal that comes from God’s quiet voice speaking to my heart on my commute to work today.
God definitely desires to use ordinary people to build his extraordinary kingdom, but he ultimately gets the glory and honor. If we can see God working all around us, and look for the activity of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we can engage with the work of growth and better receive the ministry of others.
Look to God today. Ask him to bring about the growth that he desires in your spirit. Listen to his voice, still your heart in his presence, and receive the grace of God at work in your life.
God gives the growth.
God, I thank you for the ways you have used others to pour into my life. I trust you to be the one that brings the growth.
