~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Let’s talk growth. Physical growth – yes. But more importantly, spiritual growth. The two are intertwined. One of the things I love about nature is what God teaches me about my own spiritual growth. One of my favorite stories in nature is about the Cecropia moth, (suh-krow-pee-uh). The emergence of the Cecropia moth from its cocoon is an event that occurs only with much struggle on the part of the moth to free itself. (Timelapse of the Cecropia here.)
There is a story frequently told of someone who watched a moth go through this struggle. In an effort to help – and not realizing the necessity of the struggle – the viewer snipped the shell of the cocoon.
Soon the moth came out with its wings all crimped and shriveled. But as the person watched, the wings remained weak. The moth, which in a few moments would have stretched those wings to fly, was now doomed to crawling out its brief life in frustration of ever being the beautiful creature God created it to be.
What this person did not realize was that the struggle to emerge from the cocoon was an essential part of developing the muscle system of the moth’s body and pushing the body fluids out into the wings to expand them. By unwisely cutting short the moth’s struggle, the viewer had actually crippled the moth and doomed its existence.
I love this story of God in nature. I don’t necessarily love the way it plays out in my life all the time – but I REALLY DO love hearing and seeing the need in nature for adversity and struggle. To get stronger. To learn more. To be better. To grow up. To become what I was designed to be.
James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The problems, the struggles, the adversities of life are much like the cocoon of the Cecropia moth. We are locked inside – completely surrounded. But God uses these adversities to develop the spiritual “muscle system” of our lives to help us break free. In fact, I think it’s fair to say that “fair weather” never helps us grow. It may be good for rest and preparation. But it will not grow spiritual muscle.
The development of a beautiful Christlike character will not occur in our lives without adversity. ~ Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
When I consider spiritual growth and Christlike character, my mind goes to the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The first 4 traits he mentions – love, joy, peace, and patience – can only be developed in the womb of adversity. ~ Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
I think of myself here and how I’ve always wanted to see all the fruits in my life. I’ve even asked for them. But it never once occurred to me, (except for perhaps patience), that it would require adversity to bring it about.
I like Mr. Bridges’ comment about it being developed in the “womb” of adversity. Again, much like the cocoon of the Cecropia moth.
Having a baby requires time for growth, and THEN the pain of childbirth – all can be adversities to one extent or another, depending on the person and the pregnancy. So, too, each of these fruits require time, growth, and then being birthed – in pain. I would never say “Let’s never have children because it’s too painful.” BUT how often do I walk away from, or simply ignore Jesus because it’s just too painful, it’s too hard. I don’t like the lesson being taught. I don’t like the growth. And I sure don’t like the birthing pain.
It also occurs to me that each fruit of the Spirit may well build upon each other. I think there’s some growth that takes place concurrently – but there’s also some consecutiveness to it. And so when I cry out that I have no “self-control” and ask for help to be able to control myself (my body, my actions, my attitudes, my tongue) – it never once occurred to me that I may be asking for “the end” – and that I would necessarily have to struggle to get through all the other previous fruits. That’s a lot of adversity, pain, growth, birthing.
I think it’s fair to say we all want to grow, but we often resist the process. And so sometimes when we read the following verse, we may even roll our eyes:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The verse doesn’t say we should give thanks for everything; it says we should give thanks in everything. We don’t have to be glad or thankful that tragedies occur. But we can be thankful that, in spite of the tragedy, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control of all circumstances that surround our lives. ~ Pastor Greg Laurie
We cannot pick and choose the fruit that God is working in us – we cannot pick and choose what methods the Father may use to produce such fruit. But thanks be to God:
- He IS Sovereign;
- He KNOWS not only what we need, but how to grow it;
- and because He IS All-loving and Ever-Faithful, we can fully TRUST the He’s only doing what’s best for us.
He will not remove the adversity until we have profited from it and developed in whatever way He intended in bringing, or allowing it into our lives. ~ Trusting God
It’s not easy. And some days I’m not convinced it’s even working in me. But, as I grow, I am trying to lean into trusting God and the process, the struggle, the problem, the growth. For either I trust Him or I don’t. There really is no middle ground. So with reckless abandon, I throw off everything that would hinder my growth and the Father’s purpose. I yield to His purposes rather than my own.
Hebrews 12:1 – 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 the race marked out for us…
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