I have always been fascinated with the way trees grow toward the light. Trees were created to adjust and grow in whatever way they need survive and thrive- and so are we.
This year has been a season of pivoting for me – adjusting to change, preparing for a new adventure. I sensed it coming and began to turn – slowly and gradually like a tree growing to the light. I wasn’t really clear about what the changes meant, but I journaled along the way. Now, looking back through my notes, I am just beginning to see a pattern of points that hint at God’s plan for me – a lightly beaten path worn through the thicket that seems to lead in particular direction. Reading my own journal provides a light of encouragement – and I am inclined to grow towards that light.
The world seems to be changing daily right now and we need to know how to adjust so we can survive and thrive. Here are 3 Ways to Grow Toward the Light:
- Look for Patterns of Light in your life. If you are not already journaling, you are limiting the opportunity to see patterns of God at work. For the last year, I have devoted one day a week to looking back at the week before and answering some assessment questions for myself. One of the most valuable questions has been, “Where have you see God at work this week?” This practice has been instrumental in my season of pivoting. At times though, my journaling is simply a list of things that happened each day scribbled in my planner. Social media posts, text messages to friends and family, and even the schedule in your calendar can all serve as journaling as well. Spend some time looking back through your journals, posts, messages, and calendar to see if you notice any patterns of God’s involvement in your life – this is light! Establish a practice of reflecting on those patterns and writing them down.
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:22
- Become familiar with the Source of Light. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The best way to follow Jesus is to get to know him by reading the Bible. God will never ask you to pivot or adjust in any way opposite from his word – He does not change even when the world is changing drastically every day. The enemy will try to distract us by disguising himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14); we need to be alert so we are not tricked by the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
“God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
- Pay attention When You Cannot See the Light. Opposition does not always mean that you are not in God’s will. In fact, we will often face difficulty when we are moving in the right direction, but we need discernment to understand if we are being discouraged by the enemy or disciplined by God. Perhaps one of the most well-known adjustments in the Bible is Saul to Paul – pivoting from persecuting Christians to becoming one of the apostles and greatest evangelists. God sent a blinding light to take away Saul’s sight in order to cause him to open his eyes to the calling God had on his life. In Acts 26:18, Jesus announced, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light.” Though Paul could not see with his physical eyes during that time, the light of Christ shone brightly to lead Paul as he adjusted. In moments when we feel we cannot see the light, we need to press in even more.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.”
Isaiah 42:16
These days may seem dark and full of fear. In order to adjust – to survive and thrive – we must always turn to the light and grow!