5-1-22 Outgrow And Go

Quote: “Don’t feel guilty for outgrowing people who had the chance to grow with you.”

Honesty time.  Lately, I have been feeling very guilty.

When you pick a word like “live” for your word of the year, it’s kind of hard not to feel like there is a fire lit deep inside me.  I literally ask God everyday to give me something to do that is brave, risk-taking, and impactful on the planet.  God has been expanding my areas of influence, he’s been opening and closing doors every week, and he’s been bringing an army of women in my life that are coming alongside and saying, “I am here for you.”

And they are not just saying it – they are showing it.  They are sending me encouraging texts, verses, and songs daily.  They are asking how to pray for me.  They are asking how to pray for my family.  They are giving me advice.  They are asking me the hard questions and keeping me accountable.  They are asking me if I’m being obedient to the things God has called me to do.  They are asking me if I’m using my spiritual gifts.  If they are struggling with something, they ask for a coffee date or video chat and then ask me to keep them accountable as they start making changes in their life.  They are reading Christian books and Bible plans, they are serving, and they are taking risks in their own life.  They are putting their faith into action.  I am growing and they are growing along with me.

But some people in my life are not.

And that’s okay!  Making changes is hard.  I’ve been feeling guilty because I am realizing I have been slowly moving on without them.  It’s like clothes that my teenagers are outgrowing.  Things just aren’t fitting anymore.  They aren’t moving forward.  And sometimes, I feel like they are holding me back from being the person God wants me to be.  I feel guilty because I want them to move with me!

But that’s not fair.  We can’t expect others to move at our speed.  They might be in a season where they are angry with God or they are going through something we don’t even know about.  Or maybe they are totally fine with the speed they are moving at.  So that means I either stay back with them or move forward.  And that’s where the guilt sets in.  I want them to desperately grow in their faith, ask for help, start habits to improve their life, and get out the yuck that is keeping them from living their best life.  But I can’t make them.  That’s on them.  Not me.  People are in our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

And so sometimes, I must continue to grow without them.

In Colossians 1:10, we get marching instructions from Paul for how to live the Christian life.  He says, “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  This verse is my anchor verse for 2 things I try to do everyday – know God and make God known.  The “increasing in the knowledge of God” is the knowing God part of your day.  The “bearing fruit in every good work” is the making God known part.  If these 2 things are the things that are driving every day of my life, then I have to let go of anything holding me back and just GROW!

It will be hard for you when friends start to notice the disconnect.  But hold firm to the verse in Colossians.  We are not here to make friends.  We are here to know God and make God known.  Surround yourself with people who are helping you grow in your faith.  And then hold tight to the ones that are going in the same direction and same speed you are.

If your pants quit fitting, you wouldn’t keep wearing them.  The same thing is true in relationships.

Never stop growing!