Training & Growing
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14
I recently came across this story that speaks to spiritual growth that should make you go “Hmmmm.”
“A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. I’ve gone for 30 years now,’ he wrote, ‘and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them so, I think I’m wasting my time and the priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.’
This started a real controversy in the ‘Letters to the Editor’ column. Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this… They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!’”
I thought this a good story to share as church is an important part of our spiritual growth journey, but it doesn’t just start and end with attending church services. So, what is spiritual growth? In simple terms it’s a maturation process whereby believers become more and more like Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like Him, more to His image. In 2 Peter 1:3-8 we hear that by God’s power we have everything we need to grow mature in the spirit. And what we need comes from the Word which is given to us to promote spiritual growth. It comes down to our being sought for a healthy relationship with God. So how do I get more focused on developing a healthy relationship with God?
Well any strong relationship depends on constant communication. Two things, prayer and time spent in God’s written revelation about Himself are keys to a rich relationship. I look at it this way – prayer is my primary way of communicating with God and the Bible is God’s primary way of communicating with me.
We know we should eat a well-balanced diet for our physical well-being. Likewise, what’s true for our outer bodies is also true of our spiritual condition. If we don’t regularly feed on the Word of God, we starve spiritually.
Heavenly Father, I pray that I may grow in grace and become spiritually mature. Holy Spirit lead me to grow increasingly like Jesus and that my works bring You praise and glory. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.