Challenge Yourself to Real Growth

Elpidio Pezzella
Oct 12
3 min read

And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:31 NKJV

The question posed by the eunuch, “a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure,” to Philip highlights a permanent need: that of guides, or people characterized by a deep sense of love who care for the Lord's flock. By “guide” I mean an individual placed in ministry as a leader or coordinator of a group of people, even a disciple capable of inspiring and motivating others. Men and women who, through their own lives, demonstrate the validity of Jesus' message, who, like the apostle, are careful not to give false references: “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). We are faced with a constant commitment, a discipline that bends us into the form of Christ, to be “in His image.” Many people complain about the lack of “guides” capable of positively inspiring the younger generations. Looking around us, even in the religious sphere, there are fewer and fewer people who can impact others, arousing passion and generating a desire to test oneself or follow in their footsteps.

On the other hand, there seems to be a constant increase in the number of people who take off their aprons and put on royal robes, ignoring the Master's instructions and bending Scripture to their own liking. From the very first group of disciples, a destructive pride and an almost compulsive form of egocentrism crept in. think of the sons of Zebedee and the disciples who quarrel at the Lord's table, transforming humble service into a competition for status, a climb to greater visibility and a larger number of “followers” (who are not faithful believers!), turning the commitment to witness into a miserable religious business. And so we have almost become accustomed to internal power struggles and divisions over the main roles, no longer willing to “smell like sheep” or “get dirty with manure.” Unfortunately, without adequate preparation, every tool provided will prove ineffective for its intended purpose and suitable only for meeting the needs of the moment. Only by investing time will we be able to prepare the next generations to effectively face the challenges that lie ahead. Everyone must do their part and invest on their own, if necessary. Perhaps I will appear foolish, but I believe the time has come to change and to implement a process of growth marked by precise and fundamental steps, allocating time and resources.

We are challenged to real growth, which does not only concern the ecclesial sphere, but also our working, social, and relational lives. It is no longer plausible to rely on personal inventiveness, risking ending up in counterproductive amateurism. Personal expectations risk leading us into ambiguity or causing frustration. We need to be clear about the ultimate goal and the recipients of our service. It takes a little honesty to admit how much this inclination is in everyone, and that is why we must discipline ourselves. Without love, it will be impossible to serve one another with a spirit of sacrifice and humility, to forgive one another and treat one another as brothers and sisters. This is His holy will. "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.“ (Philippians 2:1-4). George Whitefield was right to pray thus: ”O Lord Jesus, may your Spirit root out from our hearts this inclination to focus on self-love and stubbornly fixate on our own will." I pray with him.