Enjoy the Growing Process #14

One thing that excites me each year is the summer. Ever since I was in high school, I loved knowing school was out, it was nice weather outside and most importantly, it was time to work on my game. Still till this day, I look forward to the summer grind and I pick specific things to add to my basketball game. It may be shooting from a farther distance, being more in shape, dribbling better or even a combination of things. I think one reason that I enjoy this time so much is because I am constantly looking for a way to improve and I know this is the time to take advantage of it. 

I often get so caught up in wanting to receive the end result that I miss the fun in the process. I love knowing I am trying to improve, but another reason I truly enjoy the summer time is because that is when I get to train with my friends and we push each other to get better. We create a bond that goes deeper and beyond basketball just by spending that time together. Life is short, and I know sometimes I can take this time for granted and forget to enjoy it while I'm going through it. 

Recently, I had this same feeling in my spiritual life. Going into what I thought would be one of the best seasons of my life, I prepared, planned and tried to do everything I could to get to my end result. God had other plans. With worldly circumstances and personal circumstances going on in my life, I would say I got caught up in not receiving what I thought I was going to get and it shifted my perspective a little. So even as I got deeper into my faith, I found myself trying to actively search for the final answers. Nothing is wrong with that, but it is important to have fun with the process of growing deeper in your faith and getting closer to Christ just like I do with basketball and my friends. 

The trouble that one can go through with this process, is growing weary and tired of doing it. I remember last summer I would wake up everyday and train with my trainer alone and sometimes other friends, but it was not always easy waking up at 6am most days. My reasons however, were because I loved the people that I got to see each day and I had a goal in mind I wanted to achieve. It’s important to not give up. It is okay to be tired and not want to do it, but that is why we must lean on the ones we trust to hold us accountable during that time of not wanting to go that extra mile. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9

A really good friend of mine told me recently, “That very thing that you think is holding you back can propel you so much farther once God decides it’s your time to move forward.” I thought this was powerful because a lot of times as humans we can look at our circumstances as something that is holding us back or an unfair situation, but that could be exactly how God wants to use you when He decides. 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. - 1 Peter 5:10

Moral of the story is, have fun being in the growing stage rather than not at the finish line yet. A relationship with Christ is what we should seek first and it is supposed to be an exciting and vibrant feeling. Also, challenge yourself. I challenge myself each year to get better at something in the game of basketball. Apply this attitude to your spiritual life and you’ll see the growth in your faith and ultimately you’ll have the peace to enjoy the growing process.