A Call to Spiritual Growth

One of the very first words of advice an expecting family will hear is, "enjoy it because they grow up so fast," or something along those lines. My husband and I have heard this so many times that I've even began to notice it appear in our own speech as well. Someone might ask how Abigail is doing and we'll say, "She's great, but she's growing so fast."

This phrase has been drilled into my brain, and because we've heard it so many times I began to ponder over it.

My daughter is constantly growing. She's learning to crawl, and sitting up on her own, and trying to stand, and she's always very curious about everything around her. I believe our spiritual walk should be growing in this way as well.

We can never get to a place on this earth where we can say that we have reached our highest spiritual or Christian growth. I believe that even when we are in Heaven we will be continually blown away by the greatness of God. The depth of His wonder is endless. How much more is there for us to learn on this side of eternity?

It isn't uncommon for a believer to grow and grow, and then become complacent. Hebrews 5:11-14 says,

"There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong" (NLT).

We are not called to be spiritually dull, but we are called rather to "...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18).

I really like how blunt the writer of Hebrews is. Imagine if someone said to you, "you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen," or "you are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food." Um, burn?

This is so important so I thought up a check list for us so that we can think about whether or not we are becoming spiritually mature or acting spiritually dull. I want to encourage you to take some time to pray and ask yourself where you may be acting spiritually dull, and ask the Lord to change your heart.

1. Are you growing closer to God, or are you growing out of your relationship with Him (1 John 2:15-17)?

2. Do you have a desire to hear more of God's Word, or do you feel that you've learned enough (Psalm 119:47-48)?

3. Do you think of others better than yourself, or are you selfishly trying to impress others (Phil 2:3)?

4. Do you take an interest in others, or do you look out only for your own interests (Phil 2:4)?

5. Are you building others up, or tearing others down (in your heart or otherwise) (1 Thess 5:11)?

6. Do you notice when there are red flags to avoid, or do you find yourself walking into wrong situations again and again (Hebrews 5:14)?