FORCED GROWTH

If you're lying there, tonight, gritting your teeth and muttering, "Lord, when am I ever going to get anywhere?" then I have a bedtime story for you.

A local pastor once told me about a company that grew trees for lumber. The executives wanted the trees to grow faster so they hired some scientists to devise an artificial means to accelerate growth. This seemed to work fine until they used boards from the trees to build a house. Within a short time the floor collapsed. The scientists discovered that wood from the trees that were forced to grow too fast couldn't take the pressure of excessive weight.

As Brother Cerullo often reminds us, "All truth is parallel." Your spirit-man is no different from those trees. If you try to force yourself to grow too fast, or to climb too far too soon, you won't be able to hold up under the pressure later on. Remember that you are God's "tree" and He can best determine your growth.

"...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Philippians 2:13 and 1:6, NKJV).

What is driving you tonight? Is it ambition or fear, or a desire to prove yourself? Have you been trying too hard? If so, rest in a new assurance that God is working in you according to His timing and His plan. Don't push yourself past Him!

Heavenly Father, I praise You that You are working Your perfect plan in me, and that You will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Help me to surrender to Your timing. Deliver me from any fear that You may not be doing enough, and from any selfish ambition to take things into my own hands. Thank you for my growth! In Jesus' name, Amen.

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