Just Keep Growing

Tuesday - June 15th

Scripture to Read Today: 2 Peter 1:1-9

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Grow in the grace and knowledge of our

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

In Pixar’s "Finding Nemo," Marlin, a clownfish, seeks to find his son "Nemo." Another fish, Dorey, comes along and helps Marlin in his quest to find where his son has been taken. Marlin, at one point, gets discouraged and overwhelmed. As he pauses to catch his breath, Dorey tells Marlin that when life gets you down, you have to "just keep swimming" (CLICK HERE to see that clip from the movie). She repeats the phrase over and over again as they swim through the challenging moment that had overwhelmed Marlin.

A friend of mine who has been a part of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) for years told me not long ago that one of the phrases used by folks in addiction recovery is "take the right next step." That echoes the advice Dorey gave Marlin. "Just keep swimming" and "take the right next step" both express the importance of not getting overwhelmed in life by the whole journey ahead.

You may not know all that lies in front of you. You may not even know the answers to the questions you will undoubtedly face down the road. But, you have to keep moving forward. Tiny step by tiny step, you have to keep progressing. Otherwise, you will be crushed by life - unable to move forward at all.

One small step forward can change everything. That little movement can free you from the things that would discourage you about the whole path in front of you. When you are paralyzed by what might happen, nothing happens.

The Book of 2 Peter opens with a call for us to continue to grow. We are to add to our faith goodness. Next, we add knowledge to our goodness. From there, we keep building the Christlike qualities and traits given in the first chapter of Second Peter. We may not understand all that God has for us in life or our spiritual journey, but we can take the next right step. We can just keep growing.

What might be considered slight growth in our walk with Jesus frees us to be changed by God. 2 Peter 3:18 puts it in unambiguous terms, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." As we lean into the Lord, He changes us. As God changes us, the things we face in life become less overwhelming. As we grow, our faith deepens. Each step forward strengthens us for the next step. That step empowers us to take the next step. An approach to life that boldly says, "just keep growing," frees and empowers us.

No matter how overwhelming, frightening, or uncertain the path ahead looks for you, just keep growing. Take the next right step. Let God grow you as you take one step after another in your journey with Him.

No matter what life throws at you or how scary your future looks, just keep growing in Jesus!