Grow Up

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forevermore. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

    Most kids can recall their vertical progress being measured on a growth chart. When my own girls were in their formative years, we marked their heights on the door frame in our bedroom. They always had excellent posture on that day, striving to be taller than ever as they hoped to catch up to me. There was a feeling of accomplishment because it meant they were growing up. 

    Just as seedlings push through soil and babies wriggle about in the womb, life is meant to grow. Pediatricians become concerned if a child does not reach the percentiles they'd like to see. Physical growth is measured on a door jamb; mental growth is measured through the report cards and test results. 

    How much emphasis is placed on spiritual growth? If God had a growth chart next to the pearly gate, how much would you have grown since last year? In my own life, I spent a lot of years minimally picking at God's word like a lukewarm meal. Reading the Bible seemed like such a dry heave; doing anything else had much more appeal. But then I thought, "If a cataclysmic event wiped out everyone save me, would the Bible be any less relevant?" So it was then that I devoured the Scriptures as the truths rose like an aroma from a steaming pan of lasagna. It's so much more than just a book.

    If you're like I was, I encourage you to "grow up." After all, the Bible tells us that even Jesus had to mature: "And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on Him." (Luke 2:40) "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52)   

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:14