Old Dogs and New Tricks

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2Pe 3:18 AV)

This salutation by Peter at the end of his second letter is an encouragement to the brethren to continue in Christlikeness and love towards one another.  The first four words caught my attention.  In particular, the first two.  Two simple words imply so much.  The first word suggests it is not our normal existence to desire to grow.  The first word implies a contrary existence to growth.  The first word suggests we change course and go in a different direction.  Peter knows us well.  We do not like to grow.  We do not like to learn.  When we are young and have a world of opportunity before us, we like to learn and grow.  When we arrive at our life’s goals, then we tend to do just the opposite.  We tend to stick to our ways and do not look for growth opportunities.  The second word implies a change in areas that are not easy to change.  We do not oppose a change in areas that come easy.  I like to learn new things.  Things that are in areas in which I am already proficient.  Learning in areas in which I am not, it is hard to find motivation.  I’d rather stick with what I know and not stretch my abilities.  Peter suggests, at least in Christlikeness, that this is exactly what we should do.  An old dog needs to learn new tricks.  To cease to grow is to grow old.

My wife received a hydrangea plant a few years back from one of our church members.  My wife, however, runs a plant hospice program.  Our house is where plants come to die.  Not just those which need a lot of attention.  Even cactus comes to our house to pass to the other side.  Unto dust, they shall return.  So when she received the hydrangea plant, we were already looking for a place to bury it.  But low and behold, it survived its first winter in the house.  The next step was to transfer it outside.  So, we build a simple stone enclosure, filled it will potting soil, and gave that little bush a new home.  The first winter came and we knew the root system was not deep enough to withstand a harsh winter, so we piled mulched leaves on top.  Literally buried a foot high, this little bush survived its first winter in the elements.  Last year, I piled mulched leave on top, but instead of fighting to keep it buried, I only covered the root system and left the branches exposed.  The idea was to keep the root system from freezing while the branches were hardy enough to go through a winter.  We were partially right.  It appears half of the exposed plant died.  Those branches that bore blooms last year did not make it.  However, an amazing thing is happening with the remainder of the plant.  There are only three or four living branches.  But each stem has at least three or four new growths coming through.  The nature of the plant is to grow.  Life is that way.  Life is not meant to be a mere existence without any increase.  Life is meant to increase into more life.  This is Peter’s point.

It is amazing when one studies men and women of the Bible who have had second winds in their middle or later years.  Joshua and Caleb come to mind.  Isaiah is another.  Paul was called to preach well into his adult life when he was a widower.  Peter was called to preach after he was married and raised a family.  In fact, one could say the pattern of God for use of those in His service is to use the more mature and not less mature.  The key is a willingness to grow.  But we are not limiting this growth to service in the church of God.  Growth would include any area of our walk with God that could use attention.  Whether our growth would require more bible study, increased giving, or volunteering for things that need to be done, there are always ways we can grow.  If anything, we could always grow in the Christian graces of first Peter or the fruit of the Spirit of Galatians.  There is always room for growth.  “But grow” is an injunction to not settle for the status quo.  Peter is telling us old dogs can learn new tricks.  In fact, they must.  If not, old dogs will lie around and die.