How spiritual growth happens

In a word, slowly.

Nothing in nature grows instantly or overnight.  No flower blooms in a day.  There is no kind of fruit that reaches ripeness in one second.  And an acorn takes many years before it becomes the mighty oak.

So when we don't see miraculous, overnight results in our spiritual growth, we should not be surprised one bit.  Growth of any kind takes time.

Now these may seem obvious statements that I make, but how many of us want to grow up and mature in our faith more quickly?  How impatient are we with ourselves in this area?

The pace of our modern age has ruined us in some ways.  We've come to expect instant this and instant that. Instant success.  Instant income.  Instant fame.  The younger generations know how to "grow a brand" in a matter of weeks, or even days.  They can release a new app and see overnight results in its sales or downloads.  And we call this progress.  We call these "advances" good.  But why?

How is anything that causes more impatience, entitlement, and an "easy life" good for us?  What is it stealing from us?  

Character.

Character is formed over time through each and every decision that we make.  Spiritual growth happens in the same way.  Slowly.  Over time.  

Can you see how the two ways of being are at odds with each other?  We want what we want now.  Why wait if we don't have to?  Because waiting is a gift!

Waiting produces glorious fruit if we are patient and perseverant enough to wait for it.

Oh there is still work to be done in the "meantime."  The flowers and fruit trees still need tending, watering, pruning, and such, as do our souls.  Nature simply cannot be rushed.  

The church has bought into this mentality in some ways.  Attend a retreat!  Listen to this speaker!  Read this book!  Do this program!  As if any or all of these have the power to transform our spiritual lives in a matter of a few hours or weeks.

Can these things be helpful?  Of course.  But not as quickly as they may claim. 

It is important to slow down and realize that we cannot force or manipulate spiritual growth.  Being patient, in general, is a lost art.  And that bleeds over into how we have patience with ourselves.  

Jesus was never in a hurry, never in a rush.  Ever.  He walked this earth full of purpose and accomplished much, but never in a forced manner, or impatiently.  And He did so knowing that His time on earth was short. 

Though He was pleased to see faith in His disciples and other followers, He never demanded "instant" faith from them, or overnight spiritual growth.  Sanctification takes a lifetime.  Jesus knows this.  And He is ever patient with us in this.  

He knows our hearts and that we want to mature in Him.  And since He is the Master Gardener, He knows exactly how to water, tend, and prune us to enable our growth.  Our job is to cooperate with Him.  Slowly. Over time.

So next time you are impatient about anything, remember that patience is a virtue.  Waiting is a good thing.  And waiting on and for God is the best thing, for it is then when He will do the impossible through, in, and for us.

Spiritual growth takes time.

Dear Lord.  Sometimes I get impatient with myself, wishing I were farther along my spiritual path.  But You gently remind me that You are ever at work in me to finish the work that You started.  You have all eternity, Lord, to accomplish Your will through us!  Help us to have that same eternal perspective as we live our lives seeking You.  Thank You for enabling us to grow spiritually as we stay connected to You, our Vine.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.