Upgrade Your Toolkit!

Have any of the following crossed your mind lately?

• I should take a continuing education class for my job.
• I should apply to Ambassador Center.
• I should look for a better job.
• It would be good if I started a new exercise plan.
• Perhaps I should move to a better home or neighborhood.
• I should invest in learning a new hobby or craft.

These are just a few goals that directly relate to your personal growth and development.

Yet are these worthwhile pursuits? Christians are supposed to live their lives as if Jesus Christ is going to return today. Even more, world events signal that His return is imminent.

So what should we be spending time on? Should we be doing much more than using the five tools of Christian growth—prayer, Bible study, meditation, fasting and exercising God’s Spirit—as we wait for the Kingdom?

Is there time for anything else?

Of course, the devil is not happy about what he can see is going to happen soon. Because of this, he will do whatever it takes to ensure we put off growing or developing the gifts God has given us. The devil would love for us to just “sit around and wait” for Christ’s return in the name of so-called faith and righteousness.

This very problem was addressed in Jesus’ parables of the pounds and talents. It would be good to review them in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. In both instances, servants were entrusted with something of value and expected to increase it. The most important thing we are to increase as Christians is the Holy Spirit that God has gifted to us.

Yet do we stop there?

Notice the “talents” in Matthew 25 were distributed to each servant according to his “several ability” (vs. 15). Do not complicate this. We all have natural abilities and strengths—God commands us to grow them!

Growing spiritually, physically and mentally is immensely important. The response to the servant who does not increase his pound or talents makes this clear. Allow it to sober you!

Here is what Christ, in the parable, said to the one who buried what had been given to him: “You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: you ought therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received Mine own with usury” (vs. 26-27).

Verse 30 states to “cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Satan wants this to be our end—eternal death. One cunning strategy he uses to make that happen is to cause us to slow down or put on hold the quest to better ourselves. This thinking can sneak into God’s Church—the parable you just read proves this! Such a debilitating mindset must be rooted out.

Yet a valid question remains. How can God’s people balance looking for Christ’s return at any time with engaging in growth opportunities that clearly involve a significant time investment? These two mindsets seem to fight one another.

While the answer takes work, it is not as complicated as one might think.

God’s Investment

The God of the Bible clearly expects growth in us—and much growth at that (John 15:5, 8, 16). Yes, we should be focused on developing and bearing spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) and developing the righteous character of God. Yet this should not be done by completely ignoring our physical talents, abilities, personalities and other attributes that make us unique.

Consider this from God’s point of view. If you have ever invested in anything, you hope for a return. God is no different. He expects a full return on His investment that includes all areas of our lives: physical, mental, emotional, social, work, financial and spiritual.

Our goal as human beings, created in the image and likeness of God and now having His Spirit, is to strive to develop and become everything He intended—and that means everything! We are expected to blossom into well-rounded, balanced, always-growing, ever-achieving, curious and accomplished beings!

God intended this from the very beginning of our existence when He designed us. We are incomplete otherwise.

Curiously Wrought

For more on mankind’s uniqueness among Creation, we can look to David, who wrote about how God designed us and what He expects.

“I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows right well. My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth” (Psa. 139:14-15).

“Curiously wrought” has exciting implications. These two words are the one Hebrew word raqam (Strong’s Concordance). It means to embroider, fabricate and variegate, meaning to make varied in appearance, to give variety to.

We all differ from each other in appearance, but, more importantly, we are each unique and special with an individual blend of talents, abilities, personalities and preferences! The awesome greatness of God prevented “sameness” in His Family. We have been exclusively designed like no one else in the world!

With this design is an enormous expectation: to be different and then take that uniqueness and blossom—by learning, growing and expanding who we are.

Nowhere in the Bible is there a command to “slow down” at the end of the age. Get more serious about your conversion and pay closer attention to events going around you? Yes! But, put a hold on developing your talents, abilities and personality? No!

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning…” (Prov. 1:5). This is not just talking about spiritual matters. There is so much to learn and so much to develop in terms of who we are.

Consider the following revealing verse about Christ: “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

The word “increased” means to “drive forward, advance, grow,” and the word “wisdom” means “wisdom—higher or lower, worldly or spiritually.” Jesus grew in all ways—worldly (better phrased as physical ways) and of course spiritually. How else could He have gained favor with God and man? Christ had to be the most interesting, well-rounded, balanced person in the entire world.

We do not know much about the years before His ministry began at age 30, but we can learn from clues revealed throughout the Bible: He was a professional carpenter (Mark 6:3), attended social events from weddings (John 2:1-11) to national festivals (10:22-23), and spoke publicly even before His earthly ministry began (Luke 2:46-47).

Overall, He was physically and spiritually mature, with no indication He ever stopped improving Himself before He died.

To attempt to grow in only one area of our lives, even if it is spiritually, would lead to imbalance. Have you ever met anyone who is unbalanced? They usually stand out with unseemly and odd behavior.

It is far more invigorating to be around a fully balanced person who is well-adjusted, approachable and accomplished. But this takes work and time.

A Look Ahead

Regrettably, some in previous eras have fallen into the trap of putting their lives on hold because they saw Christ’s return as imminent. There are several infamous stories of people not having children or not getting new roofs on their houses in the name of “there is not enough time left in the age.”

We must not fall into this seductive trap. Only the Father knows when Christ will return. It is His call and He knows the perfect time for it to occur. Therefore, by pulling back prior to His decision, we can begin to waste—steal—the precious time we have been granted to increase His investment.

The Bible addresses not only spiritual matters but many areas of our physical lives: health, work, marriage—all things that shape us into balanced, well-adjusted humans ready to enter eternal life and teach other physical beings to do the same. We were never meant to stop developing in these physical areas.

Just as a baby must fully develop a brain, internal organs, fingers, toes and facial features prior to being born into a human family, each of us must develop before being born into the God Family!

This “pre-birth” development (or lack thereof) determines to what degree and how Christ will use us in His Kingdom.

In Mystery of the Ages, Mr. Herbert Armstrong explained that many of God’s servants will likely have roles in the Kingdom based on their skills, talents and abilities as human beings.

For example, Mr. Armstrong speculated that Joseph will probably help direct the world’s agriculture, industry, technology and commerce—as well as its money and monetary system. Why? Because he did this while second-in-command over Egypt, the world’s most powerful nation at the time!

The Bible figure Job may well be the director of worldwide urban planning. Why? Because he was a noted builder and did such things when he lived!

We are no different. If God instilled in you a love of music, you should spend your life pursuing that love—listening, writing, playing an instrument, participating in choir. The same goes for any other ability or desire—whether pertaining to arts, hobbies, academics or employment. Do you not think God would use us in His Kingdom in such capacities?

God needs all types of people with all types of strengths and abilities to work with billions of people in the future. Get excited! Our opportunities in the Kingdom will fit us perfectly so long as we fully develop what God has given us now!

Getting Started

We each must believe that we have something to offer. We must not allow distractions or fear to squash opportunities to explore and develop our gifts. Strive to foster an adventurous spirit.

In identifying our abilities and strengths, we can approach God and seek His guidance. Apply Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

If we seek Him, He promises to reward us: “Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psa. 37:4). God knows us better than we know ourselves. Since He created us, He is able to point us in the right direction for us to discover the extent and potential of our abilities.

Pursue what interests you. Areas that interest us are usually indicators of where we are naturally strong and gifted. If you are unsure what you do well, ask someone close to you. You can also think about activities that you find enjoyable and are able to do without significant effort, then look to build on them. However, do not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Work to get past all the worries and uncertainties that camouflage your strong points. Once identified, you then have no excuse to not research the possibilities and pursue them.

A qualifier: what you spend your time on should be profitable. Ideally, it should yield both physical and spiritual lessons as you grow in whatever skill to which you set your hand. Do not, for instance, spend eight hours a day practicing to become a yo-yo champion. Rather, read biographies, books on leadership, and worthwhile fiction. Consider attending a class or seminar to expand your knowledge—there are many such inexpensive examples on the internet. Perhaps you enjoyed painting or photography in high school and never pursued it since. Find inexpensive ways to get back into these.

Realize that we live in a time when self-education is easier than ever before. Yet we also live in a time when it is incredibly simple to dither away our time. Push yourself to be productive!

While salvation is a freely given gift, exactly how you will be used in the Kingdom is based on your works today—works meaning everything you put your hand to do. Your reward will be very personal and tailored to the uniqueness you possess. You may never have considered this, but you may have the power to influence your own reward based on who and what you have become during your lifetime. God is hoping we can see this so He can give us the greatest possible gift we can imagine—to do what we enjoy and desire to do—forever.

Get Busy

The way to balance preparing for Christ’s return and investing time into our personal development lies in the command given by the nobleman in Luke 19:13. In the parable, the nobleman, who represents Christ, gave servants 10 pounds and said: “Occupy till I come.”

Occupy means to “busy oneself.” Of course, we must prioritize staying busy in the development of our character, but not to the neglect of the rest of what makes us who we are.

The last thing God wants from His children is a mediocre outlook and a lazy disposition in the pursuit of their awesome potential.

I have personally witnessed people who have discovered and rediscovered their hidden gifts because they had the courage to ask, seek and knock. They have absolutely transformed their lives. They are happier, more fulfilled, and have a deeper desire to serve God and others.

Personal development increases the value of who and what we are. God desires for us to grow and discover every fascinating attribute He embroidered in our personal design.

Everything we know about God shows us that He is a big thinker, dreamer and planner. He is always focused on growing and developing, and He expects the same from us. This very drive to improve and expand ourselves is not only what keeps this life rewarding and interesting, it makes the prospect of eternal life breathtakingly exciting.

Do not fall into the trap of thinking we have to put our lives on hold because Christ’s return is imminent. Do not be one who “buries” his potential. Step out of your comfort zone and enter your “blossom zone.” Discover ways to blossom in your job, your education, your personality, your talents, your health—everything.

When you think of eternal life and the reality of getting to know and spend time with billions and billions of members of God’s Family, how exciting is it to know that every single member of that group will have something different to offer—and we will all be able to teach each other. That is how we can be sure that living forever will never become boring.

Let’s live each day with a child-like spirit of curiosity, finding and pursuing what God has begun in us. Let’s be found so doing—overcoming and cleaning up our character, remaining involved in the Work of God—but also developing the amazing gifts we have been given! Let’s give a full, abundant, exciting return on our Father’s investment.

Yes, time is running out in this evil age, but not in pursuing our full potential. If you have been infected with this destructive, crippling disease of the stoppage of personal development, it is high time to change course and “occupy” before the Kingdom comes.

Get busy living so you can give back one hundredfold on the Father’s investment!