Called to Grow

<p>The sea squirt is a strange creature. Found attached to rocks and shells, it looks like a soft plastic tube waving with the current. Drawing its nutrients from the passing water, it lives a passive life far removed from its once active youth.</p> <p>The sea squirt starts life as a tadpole with a primitive spinal cord and brain that helps it find food and avoid harm. As a juvenile it spends its days exploring the ocean, but something happens when it reaches adulthood. Settling on its rock, it stops exploring and growing. In a macabre twist, it digests its own brain.</p> <p>Spineless, thoughtless, flowing passively with the current. The apostle Peter encourages us not to follow the sea squirt&rsquo;s fate. Since maturity for us means taking on God&rsquo;s nature (2 Peter 1:4), you and I are called to <em>grow</em>&mdash;grow mentally in our knowledge of Christ (3:18); spiritually in traits like goodness, perseverance, and self-control (1:5&ndash;7); and practically by exploring new ways to love, offer hospitality, and serve others through our gifts (1 Peter 4:7&ndash;11). Such growth, Peter says, will stop us living &ldquo;ineffective and unproductive&rdquo; lives (2 Peter 1:8).</p> <p>This calling to grow is as vital for the 70-year-old as it is for the teenager. God&rsquo;s nature is as vast as the ocean. We&rsquo;ve barely swum a few feet. Explore His unending character, take new spiritual adventures. Study, serve, take risks. <em>Grow.</em></p>