Auxanomen, We Grow

Auxanomen is a Greek word meaning We Grow. Auxanomen comes from a Biblical language. Although the word doesn't appear in this particular form in the Bible, there are many references to growing in the New Testament that I find appealing.

Mark 4:8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty, sixty, and one hundredfold.

I love that vision of good soil that encourages the growth of the seeds. (As opposed to the weeds, which choked out the seeds). I wonder what it means for each of us to have good soil in which to grow.

But it is vitally important to remember the source of our growth: 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So while we can provide education, care, a healthy environment, and encouragement to one another, true transformation and growth comes only from God.

Finally, there is that lovely image of the tree that grew from the tiny mustard seed. Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds if the air made nests in its branches.

Auxanomen is the name I have chosen for our non-profit health ministry because I believe that our mission is to provide good soil so that each of us may, with God's help, become the best selves that God intended us to be. I envision our clinic as a tree, where people will nest for a while on their journey, receiving nourishment and encouragement for real growth from God. During this journey, we ourselves will undoubtedly grow and be transformed as we serve and are served by others.

This blog is about my personal journey as a part of the greater journey of establishing this mission. As I reflect, I hope to gain insights into what is helpful, and by necessity what is not helpful, along the way. I wish to share one story, and perhaps many stories of those who work to make this hope a reality.