Power Of Learning and Growing

Key Scripture: "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think"  Ephesians 3:20

Power Point:

     I love my grandchildren.  They are a constant source of delight to me.  Of course I also have to have a strong sense of who I am in Jesus when I am around them. I usually go home more humble than when I came.  This time Hannah was looking me over.  She never misses a thing and this time it was the brown spots on my face.  "What are THOSE Gami?"  Oh well.

     On the other hand, they often say the most profound things that I tuck away in my heart and will remember forever.  On this visit, Reagan Grace was reading the biography of Helen Keller.

I remembered the movie "The Miracle Worker" and downloaded it onto my IPad so we could watch it together.  It was really rich with opportunities to explain how Annie Sullivan really loved Helen and wanted the best for her no matter how bad she may have seemed in the beginning.

She saw the end from the beginning and she kept on keeping on until Helen "got it". Her passion to help Helen "see" changed both their lives forever.

     Reagan, (who is only 7) "got it".  Later, as we were discussing it, she said, "Gami, whenever I think of Helen Keller, I will think of you."  Why?  "Because she was always learning something new and she wanted to keep exploring things. You do that too!"  I love these visits. That made up for the "brown spots".

Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan

     As Christians, we never quite arrive do we?  The whole premise of the New Testament is to GROW! We're to grow in grace, and in faith, and in power, and in authority.  We're never expected to stay where we are.  Once we're on the mountaintop we make the trip to the next valley. Then it's back to the mountaintop again. It's always forward motion, exploring new things and leaving old things behind.  I sometimes amuse myself by looking back at my salvation experience with Jesus.  It was so life-changing that I thought I surely had everything heaven had to offer.  I'm sure that made the Heavenly Trio laugh.  A lot. Sometimes I still look at my progress and say, "Whew, I'm glad I know that now!"  At least I used to.  I think I understand more richly that in the kingdom of God there is always so much more to explore and to learn.  Being a Teacher Extraordinaire, the Holy Spirit will never run out of things to teach us.  He never retires.

     This morning I was looking at Matthew 25 about the parable of the Ten Virgins.  God has probably highlighted that chapter in my life thousands of times over the last 40 years.  Each time I think that surely I must know everything there is to know about it.  Wrong.  Again.

    Beloved, God loves challenges and He loves to challenge you. It's fun for Him. He wants to get you out of your comfortable "I now know everything there is to know about God" box and propel you into further exploration.  I remember my grandson Ben, always loved the Toy Story movie and he really loved the character of "Bud Lightyear". Bud's motto was "To infinity and BEYOND!"  That, my friend, is exactly where God wants to take you; above and beyond.

Above and beyond where you are now.

Above and beyond what you think you know.

Above and beyond your wildest dreams and imaginations.

Are you up for the trip?

Power Thought:

Are you ready to go where no man has gone before?  He's waiting.