Every time her son would showcase certain skills, she would check the milestone chart to keep track of his new skills and make sure that he is developing well. Any parent would also feel proud of his or her child’s development.

Just like a father, God is delighted to see His sons and daughters maturing in their faith. He also keeps track of our milestone beginning the day we were born in the kingdom of God—when we accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour.  He sees us through every moment of our lives. He rejoices with us in every victory.  He feels what we feel during our toughest moments. He sympathizes yet strengthens us as well.

He allows us to experience pains and failures so that our hearts would be strengthened. Every pain gives us an opportunity to grow. Every failure is a challenge. Both pain and failure can strengthen our knees in prayer. Tough times would enable us to be mature enough with our decision making.

Our attitude on things that happen to us would reflect if we are mature enough or still immature. If we are not maturing, we are not bringing glory to our heavenly father.

While infant’s physical growth is inevitable, spiritual growth needs a firm decision. As Christians, we have to keep on maturing. As it is unpleasant to see an infant remaining as an infant for years already, it is likewise absurd to see Christians not growing in faith. Many were stuck as a “baby” Christian. It’s no longer “cute”.

There are still many people who need to be given birth in the kingdom of God yet there are only few “fathers” who can take care of the newborn Christians. As there are more “newborns” than “fathers”, there are many “newborn Christians” who are spiritually sick, and sad to say, some do not survive in their faith and soon abandoned it.

We do not need to be casual with our growth. We need to understand clearly that God has given everything to us so we might live. As a Father, He provided all we need. He showed His love to us unconditionally by giving his son Jesus.

Make this your prayer today. “Lord, I am committing myself to You right now. I ask forgiveness if I have forgotten my journey onward to Christian maturity. Help me to grow spiritually and make me the person You want me to be.

Adversity disrupts our controlled environment. We rise and fall on the doctor’s reports, sink and soar on the response to our resumes. Affliction barges into our ordered world, revoking our carefully tailored plans. There are times wherein our expectations aren’t meant and that when our hopes are dull. What else can turn you down?  Most of the times, we face situations which leads us into desperation and depression. Why is that so?

Those are the times when we lose consciousness on our purpose. We fail to see what is going on beyond the circumstances. We drained ourselves with negative emotions which empties us. We shell out the strength that we have within us. The truth of the matter is, there is something going on beyond these painful circumstances.

This intrusion of difficulty cultivates a ripe climate for spiritual growth. This hurting moment becomes the medium of God’s big purpose for your life. It becomes an eye opener. It will make you realize that you are only human and that you fail. Your strength alone can be drained. Your rational thinking is not enough to comprehend all the things that surround you. What is going on in these times is that Somebody who is mightier than you is speaking to you. He wants you to realize that you are in need. You need Him. Only Him can replenish your strength and empower your mind and refresh your heart. What is it that you have to do? Cry out.

The Psalmist wrote, “I cried out to God with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill” (Psalms 3:4).

When bad things happen, you can cry out to God; when you are in the verge of breaking down, cry out. When you are filled with uncertainty, cry out. When you know there isn’t any more strength within you, just cry out to God. It’s a privilege. The moment you cry out to God that becomes your bravest moment. That is the time that you profess your weaknesses before Him. Crying out to God admits that you are helpless, and it confesses that you depend on Him. As nothing else does, adversity causes you to realize that you need Christ. It leads you back on your knees.

All your painful moments, Christ knows it. He’s been there before, yet He overcame that. If you have Christ in your heart, crying out to Him gives you a different comfort and relieved. When Christ is in you, all your tears will turn into joy because He will lead you to your purpose. In turning to God for help, we also learn to listen. Spiritual ears that are dull in contentment and ease become suddenly sensitized to God’s Word in times of crisis. The scriptures are personalized to our individual needs.

Are you in trial? Pour out your heart to God and listen to his encouragement. Nothing is impossible for Him.

“Then we will no longer be children, forever changing our minds about what we believe …Instead we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ.”

-Ephesians 4:14-15

Taking care of a baby is so much fun yet very tedious and sacrificing on the part of the parents. Sleepless nights, preparing milk, diaper change, are among the roster of things to be done for the baby.  It is difficult to imagine tending the same baby for the next ten or twenty years who might be growing physically but not maturing and behaving according to his age.

God wants us to grow up and not to remain an infant for the rest of our lives. Sad to say, there are many Christians who are stuck in spiritual infancy. They are enjoying being “infants” although it is already unbecoming to them – remaining in diapers and bottles. God is pleased with child-like Christians, not childish ones.

Unlike physical growth wherein growth is inevitable, spiritual growth is not something automatic. It needs a strong decision and intentional commitment for us to grow.  We need to desire to grow. We must make an effort to grow. We need to persist to grow. Passiveness is a barrier to spiritual growth.

We must grow with our relationship with God. We need to mature in character. We need to bear fruit. We cannot remain infants as there are many newborn Christians who need “fathers” to take care of them. We need to expand our responsibilities.

People who changed the world are not infants but grown-ups. As Christians, we need to become change-agents. We cannot change the world when we are stuck in perpetual infancy.

There are people around us who need a touch from God. Many are in desperate conditions, in need of a Savior. They are just waiting for somebody who could direct them to God. Friend, if you have Christ, you will be just as excited to care for others, telling them about Him. If you desire to grow up in your walk with God, then stop worrying about your life. Look around you, and start caring for the lost and dying souls. Pass on His love to others by being pro-active, sensitive, and by speaking the truth in love.

If you don’t have Christ yet, realize that He loves you. He loved you first, and He loves you unconditionally. It is no accident you are reading this article today. Jesus has been reaching out to you all your life. Will you respond to him in Spirit and in truth? If you do, He will give you eternal life.

“My Father and my God, I realize that I need to grow in my relationship with You. I do not want to become a spiritual infant for the rest of my life. Help me to mature. Use me mightily for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”