Sunday Letter: Irresistible Growth
Sunday Letter: Irresistible Growth
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Of all forces, that of growth is the one irresistible, for it is the creating power of God, the law of life and being.
—George MacDonald
The Didache begins with this “There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but a great difference between the two ways.”
There is no limbo between: we are growing in one way or we are devolving the other. Our health—muscles, nutrition, sleep—does not exist in stasis: we are either working to maintain health, or letting it decrease, whether by neglect or deliberate action. A good coach doesn’t let someone just coast: there is movement, and rest (sabbath), which is part of the cycle of growth.
It is in the nature of God—the force of forces—to draw things to himself; this force is cooperated with or it is resisted. Resistance to the growth that God wants from us appears, from our perspective, as Wrath: he chastens whom he loves, which is to say he expects and imposes opportunities for growth even when we are not seeking him.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:18-20 RSVCE)
He is always offering a road back, by way of repentance, to cooperate with the right-ing of the universe as he reconciles the world to himself. Cooperating with God is like swimming with the current, after trying swim against the rip current.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message)
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