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John 12:24-25 (Msg) “Except the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, it abides alone; but if it die, it bears much fruit.” Life is in the grain of wheat, but there is a shell on the outside. As long as that shell is not split open, the life and growth capability within the grain of wheat cannot be released and cannot sprout and grow unto its fullest potential.

The Rhythm of Healthy Life Growing in Christ “Healthy things grow, growing things change, changing things challenge us, challenge calls us to trust, trust leads us to obedience, obedience makes us healthy, healthy things grow…”

The following passage from Ephesians provides impetus for the release of growth. 13 until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. 14 No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. 15 God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. 16 He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4 (Msg)

Within those who possess the life of the Lord Jesus are one of two conditions in regards to growth; those in whom growth is confined, restricted, imprisoned and unable to come forth; and the other includes those in whom the Lord has forged a way to growth through brokenness, and life is thus released from within. Growth potential, brokenness and release are essentially inter-twined in all believers.

The Lord’s plan and even longing within the life of his maturing followers is to bless the world through those who belong to Him. Growth and brokenness are the way of blessing-the way of release. Prolonged infancy produces ‘brats’ in Christ. Brats are rarely; if ever, a blessing to themselves or any others.

How much we need for Him to open our eyes, to see that everything which comes into our lives is for the growth and subsequent release of His life through ours…The Lord has not wasted even one thing-He is aiming at one objective: the breaking of the outward man (the soul) to release Himself through the heart. “From the heart flow the issues of life.” Proverbs

Papa recently shared a perspective within me that intrigued and awakened His heart like few things have. He shared something like this. Behind much of today’s presentation of Christianity is a theology of "becoming." This distortion does not produce growth, but a striving to become.

Becoming more faithful, becoming more spiritual, becoming a better ______. You fill in the blanks. What are you presently “striving” to “become”? He went on to say, “I would rather see you live from a position of releasing, which always results in growth.

Releasing the God-given goodness, power, potential and life underneath the surface: It's the assumption of the 'already' rather than... the 'not-yet.' Aren’t “we” already, on our worst day, Christ in ----? The older I get in him, the more I have the hope of “releasing” Christ in me, the hope of Glory! I don’t think I have enough time left to “work” at becoming some elusive, religious, pious self. Maybe settling on “believing who we already are in Christ” and getting out of the way (releasing growth) is a better strategy?

(Psalm 92:12 RSV) “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” May we flourish and grow! Ron Ross