Love and Growth

Growth happens. It happens by itself. It cannot be forced. It isn’t cause-effect. Growth happens by choice. When opportunity is provided there can be growth. Opportunity is possibility, proper conditions only provide the possibility for growth. Love bestows agency.

Dirt and water provide the possibility for the seed to grow, but that doesn’t make it grow. If it is not a good seed all the dirt and water in the world cannot force it to grow. If the dirt is too dry, too wet, too acid, too alkaline, too hot, too cold, or is missing nutrients, then the conditions are not right. The gardener must know, and provide, all the right conditions needed for that particular seed to grow. Nevertheless, even when the gardener has put in all the work, has all knowledge, and creates a perfect environment, the growth only happens according to the will of the seed.

I cannot make my children grow up, I can only provide an environment for growth. I provide food and a place for them to grow up physically. I provide books and teachers for them to grow up mentally. I bring them to church where they can grow spiritually. I spend time with them, and let them have friends so they can grow socially and emotionally. But I don’t’ make them grow up. They choose. If they choose not to eat the food I provide, they will not grow physically. If they choose not to read the books I give them they will not grow mentally. If they choose not to live the gospel, they will not grow spiritually.

Love is growth, Growth is love. Providing for growth is love. Love does not determine the outcome, it only provides space, materials, and conditions where another can grow, if desired. The child loves by using the space given in love to grow up, mature, and become loving and giving.

Making a garden where fruit and vegetables can grow is love. Preparing the soil, clearing the weeds, planting the seeds, fertilizing and watering are all the work of love. Tomatoes are the fruits of love, the gifts given to the gardener who provided space for them to grow. The gifts of love are all those things we do to help others grow -- not to make them grow, but to provide a “place” (environment) where they can grow.

God loves His children by providing a world in which we can grow. He is the gardener, but does not, will not, indeed, cannot, cause, make, or force us to grow. He simply provides a place, a situation, a world, and all that it entails, where we can learn and grow -- if we choose to accept it. In spite of all the love, some do not choose to grow. Some seeds don’t sprout. Some sprout but don’t flourish; others grow up but don’t produce fruit, few grow up and produce fruit. Some fruit is very good, some is not, each according to their individual abilities and desires for growth.

Love does not give what another wants, but rather gives what is needed for growth. Love requires knowledge beyond the child. Those who love must know what conditions are perfect for growth of that individual. Love is knowing perfect timing. If I plant a tomato seed in the fall, the plant will die, as much as it wants to grow up and produce fruit. Love is knowing proper placement. Knowing which require full sun, and which need shade, is essential for their growth. Love is knowing the exact conditions for each to grow. Without knowledge there is no love. Perfect knowledge is perfect love. 

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

1 Corinthians 13:9-12

Omniscience is needed for perfect love. Indeed, the omniscience of God allows Him to be perfectly loving, providing the exact proper conditions for each of His children to grow up and produce fruit. Each has a different life, different environment, and different conditions, according to their individual needs. Everyone has the perfect garden plot with the right amount of water, the right kind of soil, the right fertilizer, and the right amount of sunshine to allow them to be all that they can be, and produce all the fruit they can, or desire. God loves His children by providing what they need.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

He has provided the One thing everyone needs. Jesus Christ is love. He is the greatest love. He has provided a world and the opportunity of salvation for all those who want to grow. He is the perfect Gardener -- omniscient, kind, merciful, gracious, giving -- even suffering all things, laying down His own life, for His children. 

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

He is the Vine, the Stem, we are the branches. We get our nourishment from Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He provides all we need to grow, according to our desires and abilities. He prepares the soil, waters, nurtures, fertilizes, and pulls the weeds. The environment is perfect for each to grow up, mature, and produce abundantly. We only have to take advantage of His offer, His love, to grow up and become all that we can be. 

"But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."

Alma 32:41-42

Those who grow up through faith in Him are truly fruitful. We are, those who grow up, the fruit of love. We receive love by taking advantage of our perfect life, accepting the gifts which He provides, and growing up to give fruit, gifts of love to Him. Blessed be the name of God for providing His Son!