Growing in Grace

By Willa Johnson

When thinking of “growth” many pictures come to mind. A baby is born and the parents and doting grandparents look for continual growth. Photos are taken for posterity and records kept of the exact day the first tooth appears, first word spoken, etc. It is truly a joyous time. Today we have home gardeners, growing their own organic foods. Once the seed is planted, every day a check is made to see the first sprout spring forth. Each succeeding day the continuing growth is observed. Those who are fortunate enough to have finances to invest spend time watching the market on its rollercoaster ride.

The most amazing growth, however, comes when a person becomes a “new creation” because he accepts Christ as his Savior. Some take time over years to grow in the Spirit; others leap into full-blown stewardship of service immediately. Sometimes the road to Christian maturity is a bumpy one with hills and valleys along the way.

Some of our favorite hymns were penned by people who came to Christ with broken hearts. John Newton, who wrote the beloved Amazing Grace, was such a person. He was just 23 years old and already a sea captain, having begun his seafaring with his father at age 11, when he turned to Christ. During a violent storm it appeared his ship, crew and the African slave cargo would be lost. He cried out, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Afterwards in his cabin, he reflected upon those words as he had not had any religious training except for a short time as a youngster before his mother died. He gave his heart to Christ there in his cabin. He forsook his sea career and began studying at night. Sixteen years later, he was ordained a minister and spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel.

Another favorite hymn is Wonderful Grace of Jesus, written by Haldor Lillenas. He seemed destined to use his God-given musical talent to serve Christ. In this stirring hymn, he writes about the “matchless Grace of Jesus” and the fact there is nothing with which to compare it.

When we accept the gift of Christ through God’s Grace, we have all that’s needed to live and grow as a Christian. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Too often people are willing to accept the gift, but fail to use it. Just as water that doesn’t flow becomes stagnate, Christians who don’t use God’s gift will too. Pure joy comes when we are growing in God’s Grace every day.

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon. wjhat@ccountry.com