Growth Takes Time

Greetings in the name of Jesus,

As a pastor, I am often reminded that many of us, at times, feel uncertain or insecure in our faith. Growth in faith is a lifelong process that never truly ends. When was the last time we paused to evaluate our faith walk? Are we serving God in some capacity? Are we involved in regular study and worship? Are we preparing our hearts for the next challenge, change, or crisis in life?

It’s baseball season again. If you have been around the Dallas area and follow baseball, you may know the name David Clyde. In 1973, David Clyde was drafted by the Texas Rangers to play Major League Baseball. Writers and baseball scouts said he was one of the greatest high school baseball players to come out of Texas.

Professional baseball is unique among sports because it utilizes a minor league system where young players can hone their skills and receive instruction. The average major league player spends at least three years in the minors learning, growing, preparing, and developing. Only a few have ever jumped from high school to the majors without first playing in the development leagues or college. 

Unfortunately, David Clyde’s jump was not very successful. In 1973, the struggling Texas Rangers made David the number one pick in the draft and brought him straight to the major leagues. In front of a sellout crowd, David pitched five shutout innings, striking out nine batters to get the win. His momentary success caught the attention of the baseball world, but the expectations placed on him proved to be too much, and Clyde would never pitch that well again.

The pressure of professional baseball took a heavy toll on David. His career lasted only five difficult years. An injured arm and struggles with alcohol brought a promising future to a sudden halt. Clyde once said, “The correlation I felt was like going from high school to performing open-heart surgery.” Even today, fifty years later, his name is often associated with how not to develop a young pitcher.

God does have a purpose for our lives, and that purpose often includes a season of preparation. Even the apostle Paul spent over three years learning and growing, followed by another period of preparation before his public ministry began.

Growth takes time, and sometimes it can be painful, but it is necessary. You can grow an oak tree in 50 years, or you can grow a squash plant in six weeks. Which one will have the greatest impact over time?

So, don’t be discouraged if you feel stuck or if you have not yet seen God’s plan fully unfold in your life. Continue to take the time to grow, train, and prepare. In God’s time, the fruit will come, and it may be even more satisfying than you can imagine.

That is why, at Stonebridge UMC, we emphasize regular worship and involvement in small group Bible studies. These practices strengthen our faith and keep us growing closer to our Lord.

This Sunday, we continue the sermon series Twisted — Bible verses that are often misunderstood, misused, or misquoted. We will look at one of the most misquoted Bible verses: “Money is the root of all evil.” That is not what Paul says in his letter to Timothy. Money itself is not evil. So, if money is not evil, what does this part of Paul’s letter mean for us today?

See you Sunday! Invite someone to worship!

Pastor John Allen