We all say we want to grow, we want to develop, we want to expand our territory – our tent. But, do you know what is hard? Growth.
And, when we say we want to grow, we all know what we mean: Grow in muscle, not in fat. Grow in revenue, not expenses. Grow in impact, not disgrace. And muscle, revenue, and impact all take work; they each cost something. And we don’t determine the kind of work it takes.
If it was up to us, we would grow muscle by eating comfort food. We would grow revenue by doing less work and living comfortable, lavish lifestyles. We would grow impact by doing a few viral posts instead of building an example through hard work and integrity over years. But, we don’t determine the seeds that must be planted for growth to germinate.
At times – in fact, many times – instead of doing that hard work, we buy products that make us build muscle quick. We think of get-rich-quick tactics. We buy outfits and cars that make us look successful. But when we do this, we miss out on the most important and necessary work of building our character through the growing. The hard is what builds tenacity, endurance, patience, and humility within us. We need these things to steward growth well.
If we build revenue, build muscle, and build impact without developing the character to shepherd these things well, the worst thing that can happen is not that we will lose it but that we will instead hurt others and hurt ourselves more than we gain. And instead of growing, we may even diminish and corrode. Because, impact is best managed by the person with integrity, built over time through hard work and the humility learned through – not only success – but through failures.
Without this humility, impact can be manipulative. And finances are best shepherded by those who have taken the time to learn prudence and discernment through time, education and counsel, or it can be squandered in but a moment. And muscle, when created the wrong way, cannot only fade but actually damage your body in the long term.
I do not share this to discourage or tear anyone down but instead to build up and encourage those who are doing the hard work – who have been at it for years – who feel tired and discouraged by subtle gains followed by trials.
Don’t give up. Your hard work will pay off — not only through the goals you are striving to achieve, but mainly through the strength of character, knowledge, patience and humility you are learning through the process.
And once you attain those goals — if that goal is God’s good for your life — you will be a trustworthy steward (a worker approved) who can bring help and blessing to those you impact, sowing good with ripple effect throughout your sphere of influence, not just within yourself for personal gain. This is the law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow. What you plant, water, and germinate does produce.
So, do not give up! Keep doing it the right and righteous way. It may not turn exactly as you envisioned it, but as you do the hard work – seeking God through the entire process (that is key) – you will end up with beautiful fruit that blesses others and yourself.
And, what I have come to learn is that is the truest, most honest form of growth — that which honors God and blesses others more than it benefits you. That kind of growth exceeds your life span and blesses the Kingdom of God, inspiring and equipping others to do the hard work of growth that too blesses their sphere of influence.
And yet, I know, as humans it is hard to push ahead, to do the hard work, and to endure, but it is worthy work — the worthy work of a life well-lived. So do what it takes to endure: Spend time alone with God. Gain wise counsel in your life that you access consistently. Ask for help. Surround yourself with friends who have integrity. And be honest — with God, with them, and with yourself.
And remember to have some fun and laugh. Don’t wait for that. And tell the people you love that you love them. These steps make it easier for us to endure, because we need support, community and spiritual covering to do so.
Most importantly, here are some verses to lean on for endurance:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance [endurance] the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:2b-5).
“Blessed is the one who perseveres [endurance] under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
