That’s a really interesting question, Caden, and a unique perspective! While I like the idea of it, I regrettably have known enough Christians with a “fixed” mindset and enough non-Christians with a “growth” mindset that I don’t believe the two are mutually exclusive. It’s also important to note that John 6:44 says “No one can come to me [Jesus] unless the Father who sent me draws them…” There is an element in our Christian faith that I do believe we must accept as being outside our own will or ambition, that God uniquely calls or does not call people to Himself through His Son. It’s difficult to separate then the act of coming to Christ as something “we” did versus something “God did within us that we responded to”. I certainly do think people like you, or me, who once wanted nothing to do with God or His people, and now find our lives completely different, have seen tremendous growth in ourselves along the way. With freedom of will we can choose to be stagnant or grow, to squander gifts and ambition or pursue all that God would have for us in this life. I am so happy that you have found growth in your relationship with God and knowledge of Him. Let us never be so stuck in our ways, believer or unbeliever, to not be sensitive to God’s leading in our life to become ever more like Him. As Philippians 1:6 says, “…He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Thank you, Caden, for sharing your thoughts on the subject! Keep growing!

Stephen – Thank you for your thoughtful note and reflections on growth mindsets for students. It’s easy for children to feel left out of “God’s plan” but the reality is that God uses anyone and everyone to accomplish incredible things. And yet at the same time, even if we don’t feel we are being used by God in any “big” way, the transformation of our character to be more like Jesus is critically important and typically happens beneath the surface. Keep looking up and I am confident your students will be blessed as God uses you to make an impact!

Thank you, Ronda! I’m right there with you. I am a big fan of written to-do lists over digital lists but whichever one people will actually look at and use is best!

Love it, Ronda, thank you for sharing yours!

Thank you, Cody! Hope you’re doing well smashing through life’s roadblocks before they can become setbacks!