Treasuring and Growing
Rev. Erik Swanson
January 19, 2025
Our wildflower spiral garden near the fountain serves as a metaphor for growth and renewal. Our team’s effort to clean up last year’s dead stalks reveals a fresh canvas, ready for an abundance of new life. This image reflects a broader truth: growth and development are essential, not only for children but for us as spiritual beings. Just as we nurture the growth of young people, we must also work at our own spiritual and personal growth, recognizing it as a lifelong endeavor.
Inspiration: Jesus Encouraged Growth
Christianity, often reduced to a set of beliefs and orthodoxy, sometimes misses the dynamic aspect of faith that Jesus exemplified. Jesus challenged societal norms and encouraged growth, as seen particularly in the Gospel of Luke. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ own growth, describing how He increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and humanity. This challenges the misconception that Jesus came fully formed, showing instead that even He grew and developed. For those who love to ask questions and seek deeper understanding, this example serves as inspiration.
Growth in Faith and Reflection
Growth in faith requires effort and reflection. The answers we learned as children or young adults may not suffice as we mature. To live out Jesus’ call to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves, we must work intentionally at growing in wisdom, compassion, and holiness. Reflecting on life experiences, rather than rushing through them, allows us to gain wisdom. Thomas Merton reminds us that reflection is key to learning from our experiences, yet many of us fail to make time for it.
Self-awareness is Essential
Self-awareness is a vital part of growth. By examining how we react to situations now compared to the past, we can gauge our maturity. Are we growing in patience, wisdom, and compassion? Are we learning to keep our egos in check and respond with grace? Growth begins with recognizing areas that need work and being willing to engage with them. This requires time, effort, and a commitment to treasuring life’s lessons in our hearts, as Mary did in Luke’s Gospel.
In prayer and spiritual practice, growth often happens subtly. One’s understanding of God can evolve over time. I found that my morning prayer routine became more of a grounding practice rather than an immediate encounter with the divine. This shift reflects spiritual maturity, a process of growing into deeper understanding and connection with God.
World Challenges Can Lead to Spiritual Growth
The challenges of our world, including those posed by political and societal shifts, offer opportunities for spiritual growth. Rather than resisting or despairing, we are called to deepen our faith and resolve. Growth and maturity, modeled by Jesus and emphasized in Luke’s Gospel, are essential not only for personal well-being but also for contributing to a more just and compassionate world.
Embracing Growth
As followers of Christ, we are invited to embrace growth as a lifelong journey. By striving to grow in wisdom, holiness, and connection with others, we can better navigate life’s complexities and contribute positively to the world. May we commit to this path of growth, for our benefit and the welfare of all. Amen.