I know at some point you must have heard your mother or grandmother declare, “You are going through such a growth spurt!”  Most likely this would be stated when trying on clothing for the new school year or preparing for a special event.  The girls’ dresses were a little too short, the shoes a bit snug, the socks slipped uncomfortably on the heel and the overall look was of wearing your sibling’s hand-me-downs now outgrown by a second child.  It was time for a shopping trip, much to the excitement of the girls and the dismay of the non-shopper boys.

            Over thirty years ago, my husband and I planted two small blue spruce trees on our property at our church campgrounds.  Only one of them survived, and we have been in shock to see the growth spurts of this little tree.  Every year we would arrive to see immense change in this miniature tree.  It was literally amazing to watch.  The tree is now mammoth in size towering at least thirty feet in the air with branches outspread to offer welcome shade.  We love the small portion of privacy it provides on our very public property.

            We all understand that any living entity requires growth to be considered healthy and to survive.  Why is it that we think our spiritual person can exist without continual growth?  I Peter 2:2 instructs us, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”  Without proper nurturing and care our spiritual being becomes stagnant and unhealthy.  It takes daily cultivation to bring spiritual growth.  Feeding with the precious Word of God and watering with daily prayer brings consistent and steady development into what God has planned for us.  Adding to these daily disciplines faithful church attendance, you can expect to see constant progression in the spiritual man. 

            Are you at the same level of spirituality as when you first came to God?  Has there been improvement, maturing and growth?  Our spruce tree grew about a foot a year and gave obvious evidence of a healthy plant.  Lets all strive to grow in grace and maturity in our walk with God.  It reaps ‘out of this world’ rewards!

            II Peter 3:18 offers great advice, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and for ever.  Amen.