The Curve and The Mystery of Growth

This morning my mind suddenly recalled the wave like drawing my sister drew yesterday to facilitate De Xian’s Gloria in Excelsis warm-up exercise. I redrew it here, but I made adjustments to it. Trying to spin off a new analogy here. Haha.

In a non-musically technical way, I saw the ups and downs of the curve as the ups and downs of life. And one way to see what we are praying for (through the anthem) is that though we may have ups and downs, we have my fair share of good times and bad times,让我成长. So what we are praying for is growth regardless of all circumstances. Growing, not upwards like a plant but Godwards – growing in the likeness of God, expanding in the capacity to love and embrace all types of people, however unlovable they might be.

But how is it possible, to grow regardless of all circumstances? Perhaps we have forgotten that with God, nothing is impossible. Here we are talking about supernatural growth and of course, we require a supernatural force to thrive in all circumstances. We cannot do it by ourselves.

Interestingly, Paul has a prayer like this in Ephesians 3:16-21.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being -> Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith -> being rooted and established in love may have power grasp the abundances love of God, know this love that surpasses knowledge… -> may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (which means becoming Christ-like)!

1. The supernatural power comes from God! Not us.
2. He grants us the Holy Spirit to receive His power.
3. Since love comes from God and His love endures forever, we can stay rooted in His love and
grow to be more like Him!

Awesome. Right?

(Hope my sharing here is comprehensive. =P)