Growth is God's Idea

Plop! Malaika, my firstborn, collapsed on her diaper-padded bottom wailing in frustration.“Come on, sweetheart,” I entreated, “try again. You’re a big girl now. Look, you can almost walk.”Crawling to the edge of the sofa, Malaika pulled herself up, her face creased in a wide smile of excitement and anticipation. Slowly letting go of her anchor, she eyed the vast distance to the other side of the room, chuckled with delight, and staggered forward a few more steps. Plop! Down she went again.“You’re nearly there!” I cried, scooping her up with a big hug and a kiss. “Soon you’re going to be walking all by your self. You’re such a clever girl.”

Beaming with delight, I watched Malaika try again and again to master this new step of growth. No matter how many times she tumbled over, scraped herself, cried with frustration, or shed tears of pain, she had to attempt to walk. Why? Because God has created human beings with the drive to grow, to develop, to mature physically.The same is true of us spiritually. Every urge we have to pray, to help someone else, to give time or money or energy to serving Christ, is implanted by God. God is at work in us to conform us to the image of His Son. And God is delighted by every effort we make toward that goal. Sometimes, however, we have our own ideas about how to grow spiritually strong.

Let's talk: What have you found helpful in growing spiritually? 

This post is an excerpt from my ebook, I'm Too Human to Be Like Jesus. I am sharing a series of three excerpts from this book over the next couple of weeks. Click here to sign up for blog posts so you don't miss a post!

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Blessings,Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive! Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.