Spiritual Growth is Gradual

Today’s post, according to WordPress, is #3100.

10 ½ years ago I never thought about this little blog being read in 200 countries and territories around the world. Or writing 3100 posts that would encompass 186 categories, which would fill 35 average size books.

So, how did we get here? How did we reach this point?

The answer is simple. One day at a time. One post at a time.

Seeing this stat reminded me that’s the nature of spiritual growth. It’s gradual. It’s a process. It occurs step by step. Day by day. Week by week. Month by month.

Too often we think of spiritual growth occurring from some spectacular event. An explosive, life-changing exposure. Or a flash of light Damascus road experience.

Growth, however, is almost imperceptible. Your children are growing. But you don’t necessarily see it daily. But one day, you say, “I think you’ve grown.” You measure and find she’s an inch taller. Or you weigh, and he’s 5 pounds heavier.

The Bible often compares spiritual growth to the physical growth of a baby or child into a full-grown adult (Heb. 5:12-14; I Pet. 2:2-3; 1 Cor 13:10-12). In the same way, there is a progression from milk to solid food. From crawling to walking to running. From weakness to strength. From child-like understanding to adult comprehension. And from immaturity to maturity.

This doesn’t occur all at once. Either physically or spiritually.

Spiritually, it’s one verse at a time. One class at a time. One prayer at a time. One worship service at a time.

Think about attending Sunday services. The songs you sing, the prayers you participate in, the sermon you hear, the communion you share, and the fellowship you engage in–these all add to your spiritual growth. The same can be said for a Bible class or mid-week assembly, as well as your daily spiritual meditation. They all contribute in a small way to your growth.

What do you think happens when you skip worship services? Miss Bible classes? Fail to pray daily? Neglect Bible reading? Or forgo Christian fellowship?

What we do or fail to do today makes a difference. The effect of our action or inaction will manifest itself long-term.

Where will you be spiritually a year from now? In 5 years? 10 years?

The answer lies in what you do today. Tomorrow. The next day. And…

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman