Change is inevitable.  Growth is intentional.  

Change occurs within us and around us, without notice or with notice, scheduled or unscheduled.  Some of us try to prevent change and some of us run towards it. Time changes at the ticking of the clock as the day changes from dawn to dusk, and back around again, each movement propelling us forward in time.  Length of day and temperatures change resulting in seasons, which leads to change in our participation of them, our activities and our responses.  We change from infancy to adult with many stages in between.  Change often occurs due to sudden trauma or unexpected results.    This change, often without warning, can be startling and often invokes fear at the unknown.  Personal change can be hard and its lasting effects vary due to the lack of intentional purpose it came with. All around us there is change and it is inevitable.

Growth on the other hand is intentional.  Intentional growth is to develop or increase on purpose. We set our minds to be purposeful about what we are doing, when, with whom, and how we are doing it.  In doing so, growth happens; a daily, perhaps even lifelong progression. When we grow intentionally there is lasting effect. The time and effort we put in is rewarded by increase.  Increase in muscle tone as we workout, increase in skill as we practice and apply, increase in self awareness as we learn about ourselves objectively.  Growth is intentional.

We don’t always have choice in change, however we do have choice in growth.  Each day we are given opportunities to grow, to be intentional.  I have a choice to be intentional about the foods that enter by body and the way I care for myself, the friends and influences I surround myself with, the responses I give to situations that come my way, my time, my work; I have a choice to be intentional about my growth as a person and my growth in Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-17, Passion Translation says, “So be very careful how you live not being foolish as those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times.  Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes.  And then you will have discernment to fully understand God’s will.” 

In Ephesians 5 Paul writes with instruction as to how we must live out our faith.  He instructs us to be careful, to live honorably and with true wisdom, making the most of every situation.  Paul is instructing us to be intentional with our faith.  Paul has his own  intention in writing, and that is for our growth in faith.

In 2 Peter 3:18, Passion Translation, Peter writes, “But continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Peter is instructing us to grow, to be intentional in God’s grace and our intimacy with him.

Growth is intentional.  Growing our faith is intentional.  Growing our intimacy with Christ is intentional.  We have but a choice to be intentional in Christ, to be purposeful in our pursuit of Him. Growth takes time and discipline, however its effects are lasting and its reward gives us increase.

As we are intentional with Christ we increase.  As we increase we grow in all that the Lord has for us and in our relationship with Him.

I Thessalonians 3:12, NIV “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else”

Change is inevitable, but growth is intentional.