By Andrea Merrell
Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going
through labor pains for you again, and they will continue
until Christ is fully
developed in your lives.
Galatians 4:19 NLT
A young mother expressed concern because her baby
boy wasn’t progressing as fast as her sister’s child. “Jill is already saying
words and walking, and she’s younger than Mark. Do you think there’s something
wrong with my son?”
The answer was no. Statistics say that girls generally progress faster
than boys but in truth, everyone and everything matures at a different rate.
Whether plant, animal, or person, it takes time to grow.
Too many times when we see another believer still
living a carnal lifestyle, we’re tempted to criticize and judge. “He should be
a more mature Christian by now. What’s wrong with him?”
Probably nothing. Maybe
he’s having “growing pains.”
There will always be the proverbial battle between
the flesh and the spirit. That’s why we’re told to work out our salvation
(Philippians 2:12). It’s a process, not an event. A marathon, not a sprint. And
it takes time and effort.
Paul said his labor pains would continue until
Christ was fully developed in the life of the early believers. God is the only
one who knows how long that will take in each one of us. Until that time, He will patiently and
lovingly nurture us as we become more and more Christlike.
If you’re not where you want to be—or think you
should be—spiritually, don’t be discouraged. Keep on seeking the Lord with all your heart. And remember ...
It takes time to grow.
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