That you would grow to become more . . . In all maturation there is great pleasure. In each phase – new growth and ability. A father sees strength growing; a mother is pleased with new speech. As the child grows, also the joy of his parents. It is also true of your Father. It is to the Father’s pleasure that His children would grow and become, that they would inherit. The sappling’s first leaves, in season its first fruit, and in time great bushels. Seek then to grow, not for selfish desire, but to please He who gives life, that your growth would bring glory and yield abundance. Do not be settled with the sluggard, and do not rest with the fool’s prolonged comfort, but find joy in the running, in the leaping for heights not yet attained. In sport does not the father cheer for his child? With great enthusiasm does he raise his voice and with true joy his hands. So too your Father in Heaven, with great acclaim for those growing and striving for holiness, for victories on earth, and in the heavenly places. Reaching higher to excellence is a reflection of the Christ, who walked in perfection, in all obedience and effort, but still in humbleness to please His Father. Strive for the same. Grow in skill and favor, that your Father would be pleased.
Matt 25:22-23 (ESV) – And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Bottom Line: We have been made perfect in Christ, blameless in the eyes of God through what Jesus accomplished on the cross on our behalf. So with a thankful heart, we should want to give back, not the broken man or woman that He saved, but the best version of ourselves that we can be. As children of the most high God, we should never be satisfied with being mediocre. We should always be striving to grow and become better, not just a better Christian, but a better everything, which includes becoming a better employee and leader in the workplace. Consider increasing your skill set, obtaining a higher education, taking on a bigger responsibility – all would please the Father who created us to grow and be fruitful in all that we do. Seek first the Kingdom, and as you do – grow!
