When I was 8, my mom and I enthusiastically departed from San Francisco harbor on a five-day cruise to Tokyo.
We were joining my dad, who had already completed 12 months of his 24-month tour of duty at Johnson Air Force Base in Japan.
Surprisingly, my asthmatic condition, which I contracted several years earlier, was cured during that 12-month stay in that foreign land.
As we returned to Dad’s final duty assignment at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington, this now 9 year old had not only been cured of asthma, but I had also grown a whopping 6 inches in height!
That growth spurt helped build my self-esteem since I was no longer the runt in my class. Allergy shots once again followed, but at least I kept growing gradually stateside.
Those next two years were quite enjoyable and I knew my dad would soon be retiring after a 28-year career. We would be returning to San Antonio, where I was born.
Here’s where this discussion will take a sharp turn. Gradually growing day by day is what normally happens in life.
Over the next eight years, I blossomed into a physical specimen, which garnered me an athletic scholarship in baseball.
My stats in the program for the 1962 South Texas All-Stars versus the San Antonio All-Stars Baseball Classic introduced Jimmy Langley as a switch-hitting second baseman weighing 170 and standing 5-foot-l1.
Exuding with confidence, my college athletic career took off from there.
But let’s not get caught up in only physical growth. Certainly mental and emotional growth are every bit as important. And, perhaps spiritual growth is the most important of all.
Sadly, my spiritual growth was thwarted until reaching the ripe age of 40. In my opinion, the most important area of growth happens in the spiritual realm.
Specifically, I’m talking about growth in my knowledge and understanding of the God of the Universe and His creation of the human race. That’s where my personal growth has been the greatest in this fourth quarter of my life.
That physical specimen of the past has diminished quite a bit in recent years. I’m now 5-foot-8 and barely 160 pounds, and my strength and coordination have taken a toll over these past few years.
Fortunately, my mental acuity has remained in fairly good shape.
And, most significantly I have continued to grow closer to God as I get nearer and nearer to the end of my time here on earth.
I find great solace in that growing relationship, since I know His heavenly kingdom is my eternal destination and reward.
As you draw nearer to the end of your time on this planet, I suggest you seriously consider growing spiritually.
The Holy Spirit has become my closest companion, and I know He wants a personal and intimate relationship with you as well!