Growth Gaps

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has been a busy couple weeks for us here.  Robin and I are enjoying the opportunity to with the 18 new support missionaries and help them through the e2 process.  It’s so exciting how God has provided!  To our new missionaries, I just want to say thank you for coming!  You guys are such a boost and an encouragement to all us.

As we have gone through the different orientation modules, we have talked a lot about areas of potential growth in our lives.  John Maxwell in his book “15 Invaluable Laws of Growth” said the greatest gap in growth, is the gap between knowing and doing.  He goes on to talk about 9 other gaps or reasons that we don’t grow.  Here’s a few of them.

• The Assumption Gap:  We just assume growth will happen
• The Timing Gap:  The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds you will never do it.
• The Inspiration gap:  Have you made a commitment to personal growth?  If not, why not?

Maxwell also shared these thoughts regarding the relationships between growth and change:

• It is possible to change without growth.
• It is NOT possible to grow without changing.
• Some people change without growing?

How intentional are you in your personal and spiritual growth?  Personally I really resonate with Maxwell’s timing gap.  I am pretty intentional when it comes to spending time in the Word and prayer.  But, I can’t tell you how many times I have read things in the Word, and been challenged to do something with it to move toward growth in my life, but with the busyness of life and ministry I move on from my time in the Word, and don’t do anything about it.  I have a lot of head knowledge but there is often a big gap between that knowing and the doing!

In the book “Developing a Discipleship Culture” the author talks about the cycle of growth.  He shares how part of the growth process is to observe where I need to grow, take time to reflect on it and discuss it with others.  But, that in itself will never produce growth.  In order for growth to happen, I need to take the next step to lay out a plan, then invite someone else to hold me accountable to the plan.  As a result of this challenge, I have started meeting with a couple guys on Friday morning for this very purpose.  I would love to hear what you are doing to be intentional in your growth

I love what Ephesians 4:11-16 has to say about growth.  Paul talks about the gifts God gave to the church.  Then he lays out why.  “…to equip the saints for the building up of the body, so we can all attain the unity of faith… and a maturity to the measure of the stature of Christ.” (v12-13).  He goes on to say in verse 15 that God desires that we all grow up into Christ.  I sure don’t measure up to the “full stature of Christ.”  But, that’s why He gave us the body. That’s why He gave the gifts… so that we can help each other to grow and mature and to become more like Christ.  This Christian life is really a community event!

I hope this week you will take some time to observe, reflect and discuss how the Lord is challenging you to grow.  But don’t stop there, make a plan, then invite someone to hold you accountable to do something about it.

We will be praying for you this week.  Please let us know if there is anything specific we can be praying for you about.

David and Robin Watters