Growing Pains

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to stay in physical shape? Contrast that with how easy it is go get out of shape and it just is not fair. This morning I went out for my morning run at 6:30 and the humidity was 100%. Shouldn’t it be raining if the humidity is that high?

I once read in a running magazine that running in the humidity is the same as running at mountain altitudes. They claim that this is true because the water in the air displaces the oxygen. I’m not scientist but I’m going to trust them on this one.

Why all this talk about running? Well, there are a number of spiritual parallels that we can learn. However, the main thing I would like you to think about is the fact that growth is never easy. With growth comes growing pains. A commitment to growth is a commitment to a series of aches and hurts that you will have no idea from where they came. However, the choice is simple, physically and spiritually, you can avoid the aches and pains of growth, but then you will have to deal with the debilitating effects of ill health.

The Apostle Paul understood this well. It is why he said, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). In spite of all Paul faced, he was willing to press ahead and see what God might do. I pray that this is true of your personal life, but I also pray it will be true of Northside Baptist Church. Let us press on into growth knowing full well there will be growing pains.

Honored to be your pastor,
Darrell