Ready to grow?: Embracing time in Spiritual Growth

As a young pastor, I once delved into the pages of a Puritan text whose title eludes my memory. Yet, its timeless wisdom on the rhythm of spiritual formation remains etched in my mind. The essence of its message revolves around the notion of time in the context of spiritual evolution—a concept akin to growth of a tree.

Spiritual growth, it posits, often occurs in bursts, punctuated by moments of divine revelation and personal crisis. In these junctures, prayer deepens, and the pursuit of profound biblical understanding becomes paramount. During these crescendos of spiritual fervor, the senses are alight with God’s spirit and glory. The soul dances in the divine presence.  Your love for him exceeds anything you have ever felt.  You are ready to do anything for him, even lay down your life.

But why does this exalted state of being not endure? Why isn't perpetual spiritual ecstasy the norm for all believers?

The book used the metaphor of the tree. A ring of a tree represents this burst of growth and the time needed to fortify and sustain this growth. The tree needs time for healthy growth to become permanent. We need the time for the growth to become a permanent part of our lives.

It is at this juncture, as the growth is being fortified, that the adversary often strikes, subtly whispering divisive thoughts into the fertile ground of our fervor. "I desire to accomplish great things for God," we affirm, a noble sentiment indeed. Yet, a subtle shift occurs as we begin to question why others do not share our fervent zeal, unwittingly falling into the trap of judgment.

I’m pretty sure Jesus had something to say about that.  

Matthew 7:1: "Judge not, that you be not judged."

The Greek term for "judge," "krino," encompasses not merely condemnation but also the act of discernment and assessment. It is a reminder that while evaluation is necessary, condemnation is not our role. When we find ourselves pointing accusatory fingers at our brothers and sisters, we have veered off course, allowing the adversary to divert our attention from the race set before us. We are not loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Let us, then, continue running the race with endurance. The beauty of the Church lies in its diversity of pace and journey. Some may sprint ahead while others pause to catch their breath or aid a fallen comrade. God's handiwork in each life is unique, reflecting His multifaceted grace. Uniformity should not be our pursuit; rather, let us offer prayerful support to one another as we navigate the varied paths of our divine calling.

In embracing this diversity, we preserve the harmony and magnificence of the body of Christ, free from the distortions of judgment and the shackles of uniformity. Together, let us press onward, running the race marked out for us with humility, grace, and unwavering faith.