By Jeff Miller
Well it happened. About six weeks ago I became a grandpa. Barely beat my 60th birthday but here we are. I think i am going to like this gig. Michael is, of course, the best and most adorable child ever to grace the planet (I’m sure no other grandparent has ever said that).
In the midst of all the fun of being a grandparent it also leads me to revisit a biblical principle. What is the principle? Glad you asked. It is simply this:
The goal is not growth but multiplication.
Sure, we all want to grow. Michael was born at 6 lbs 9 oz. We are eager for him to bulk up. But the goal is not for him to simply grow bigger each year. If he added 10 lbs a year then by age 80 he’d be 800 lbs. No one would view that as healthy. But if at age 80 he has a family and multiplying children and grandchildren we’d view that as healthy and expected.
When Pam and I were married we certainly wanted to grow as people and followers of Jesus (we’re still on that journey). But the hope was more than just growth, it was multiplication (just ask our parents, they’ll tell you). We multiplied from a family of two to a family of four with the arrival of our two daughters. Now with Michael’s arrival we see multiplication continuing. It is a biblical pattern.
This is also true in the sprirtual realm. Yes we need to grow in Christ. But growth alone is not the goal; it is not even fully healthy. The goal is growth through/with multiplication. Disciples (Christ-followers) ought to be birthing other disiciples who will then birth spiritual grandchildren. Churches can certainly grow (and ought to) but the heart of Acts 1:8 is not growing big churches but multiplying Gospel presence in places all around us (our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth).
In two and a half years Pam and I have come to love all of you here in the Ohio Valley District. Thanks for your part in the multiplication movement. In our five D’s is the Deploy. We head out and carry the grace and love of Jesus to a lost world. I am glad and honored that we get to do this journey together.
Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Meanwhile I need to go hug my grandson.
Jeff