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PROGRAM D-8060
I’ve been focusing on growing up in Christ to be “big girls”—and boys—for Jesus. Hebrews 6:1 says, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. . . .” Going forward to maturity requires action on our part; it won’t just happen. It requires staying in the Word of God regularly, and it requires being a part of a community of believers who encourage you and hold you accountable.
A third necessary action is that we grow through service. Just as physical exercise is necessary for healthy growth, spiritual exercise is necessary for spiritual growth. Getting out of our comfort zones—being willing to inconvenience ourselves, to take risks, to truly give of ourselves to others—will grow us up quickly!
A couple in our church began to notice and get to know the many homeless people in their neighborhood. Realizing that they didn’t have access to washing machines, they began a ministry called Wash and Worship. Every Saturday evening the homeless are invited to join them at a local laundry where this couple pays for them to wash their clothes, brings food for their dinner, and then shares the love of Jesus with them. They saw a need and God led them to be servants to the homeless people in their neighborhood.
We began a residential home for women who have been sexually trafficked, and that six-year journey from a vision to reality has grown my faith incredibly. We had to trust God for miracles all along the way, and it forced us to be strong and mature in our faith.
Are you involved in any kind of service that allows you to serve others? If not, I encourage you to find something that requires you to give of yourself, something that stretches you and takes you out of your comfort zone so you can trust God more. You will grow up in Christ as you do that.
Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). Knowing that you need to grow up in Christ isn’t enough. You must do what you need to do so that you can grow.