Stretching Growth: The Law of the Rubber Band

Take a few seconds and think of all the possible ways you can use a rubber band. The possible uses of a rubber band may be in the hundreds or even the thousands.

Now try thinking of all the possible ways to use a rubber band without stretching it. A rubber band is completely useless without its ability to stretch. John Maxwell in his book 15 laws of Growth says that we are the same way. Like a rubber band, we are only useful when we are stretched.

Maxwell says “Growth Stops When You Lose the Tension Between Where You Are and Where You Could Be.” He states, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” therefore stretching, or leaving our comfort zone, is one of the ways we can experience growth.

Consider all the heroes of faith in the Bible who were stretched: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Daniel, King David and Paul. Paul writes in Philippians 3:12-14 “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Consider JESUS! Talk about leaving your comfort zone! He left Heaven!!! He was stretched to death!