You Are Expected to Grow
Even though only four letters comprise the one syllable word grow, the meanings and associations with it extend far beyond the four letters. As an action word, it signifies movement, change, advancement, mastery, or becoming more mature, better, greater, or stronger. Suffice to say, growth means transformation. The process of growth can be visible or invisible. Not always immediately noticeable to the eyes, growth can be taking place even if it does not appear to be. In some instances, growth may be measured in numerous ways. Although it may not be initially evident, growth becomes noticeable through demonstrated actions, behaviors or qualities.
The stars in the sky can grow. Cities grow. Plants grow. Animals grow. Doctors and parents watch for babies to grow. Teachers expect growth. There are some who believe that growth ends once a person reaches adulthood. Reaching the age of 18 or 21 does not always mean adulthood just as reaching the age of 70 does not mean that a person has ceased to grow. There is no end to human spiritual growth. Whether measurable, visible or not – growth is important to improving and sustaining life.
A growth mindset is promoted in some educational settings. It is also common in some schools for students to be expected to demonstrate growth while completing their academic programs. In some educational settings, workshops, curriculum plans, strategies, parent involvement campaigns, and student-teacher incentives are often put in place and monitored by education administrators to ensure expected growth of students. If expected growth does not occur, then remediation is often undertaken to help students strengthen weak areas. Some school districts provide special awards or recognition to teachers whose students meet or exceed expected growth in the classroom.
Growth is not just physical development but also emotional and spiritual. Certain physical features or capabilities may change or decline as we age – but emotional and spiritual growth must not cease to grow as we age. Failure to continue to emotionally or spiritually grow in some areas can lead to problems or deficiencies, especially when those weak places remain unstrengthened. Some people who are chronologically of adult age have growth deficiencies and do not realize it. Chronological age, in some instances, may denote adulthood with certain privileges, but chronological age alone does not mean that one has fully grown up. It is possible to be an adult due to chronological age but have child-like behaviors and thinking because of growth deficiencies. Regardless of a person’s age, emotional and spiritual growth is expected and should always continue.
Spiritual growth produces imitators of Christ-like behavior. This is behavior that may not always be measureable but that is definitely demonstrated and clearly recognized by love, peace, joy, kindness, and self-control. Spiritual growth is attained by desiring, seeking, discovering and fulfilling the purposes, plans, and strategies given by God. It is when His truths become realities in our hearts and minds and are manifested in our lives, that we are able to grow and to go from craving the milk to craving strong meat.
Hebrews 5:13-14 KJV says:
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Meat symbolizes maturity, comfort, holiness, spiritual food and receiving the deep teachings of God’s Word while milk symbolizes the foundational or elementary teachings. In order to continue to spiritually grow and eliminate any growth deficiencies, growth strategies must include things such as: prayer, fasting, church fellowship, loving, serving, and giving while abstaining from envying, strife, division, adultery, stealing and lying. This list is by no means a complete list of strategies and presents only a few examples.
What or who is hindering your growth?
What or who is hindering your relationship with God?
What or who is preventing your relationship with God from growing into worship or workmanship?
Do your mindset and your actions give evidence of growth?
Can others see growth in you?
It’s not possible to truly survive while drinking mostly milk as an adult! It takes strong meat. 2 Peter 3: 18 NKJV says that we are to:
… grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
God not only expects us to grow, but He has given us all of the divine tools that we need to grow and to help others grow as well. His growth provides the best rewards and incentives – both now and in eternity. With His growth comes an awakening to who you are in Christ and elimination of low self-esteem. Your speech changes. Your thinking changes. Your priorities change. You know the power of your tongue. You realize that you have been given the authority of Jesus Christ over situations. You don’t fret or worry about whatever weapons may form against you because you know they have no power to prosper. You realize that you have a Heavenly Father, a Provider, a Judge and an Advocate, a Great Physician, and access to all of Heaven’s resources. You can see yourself going from faith to faith and from strength to strength. You begin to agree with the Word knowing the power of agreement. You realize that some cases that you are concerned about are won – not in the earthly court system but in the courts of heaven. You feel a prompting to serve. The list of rewards and incentives is unending and it’s about you and for you as you grow in Him.
Let nothing hinder your growth. He expects it and you can do it.