So many of the most beautiful things in life and in nature for that matter, don’t move, grow, or develop with great speed. Instead, their movements are slow and gradual. Part of the wonder of nature, is getting to see the different pieces gradually unfolding according to an order and time frame established by GOD--like a bud that opens into a flower. Flowers don't bloom overnight once planted. It's a waiting game. Another example is a tomato plant. In my experience, growing from seedling to harvest takes around 2 months. What about things that happen in us when the "seed" of Word of God has been planted in us? Do we suddenly become a perfect person? I say not. Spiritual growth is also like the growth of a plant--slow and gradual: from seed to sprout, to green vegetation, to budding, flowering, then fruit with various ripening stages.
Have you ever wish that your own spiritual growth could happen faster? That the interpretation of scriptures was as effortless as some seem to have mastered? That Satan's temptation were easier to resist? That controlling your tongue was as effortless as turning off a switch? What the Lord is telling us in His Word, right from the opening chapters of Genesis, on through the story of the Exodus, by the wanderings of the Children of Israel in the wilderness, in the many battles that they had to fight in the land of Canaan, on through the time of the prophets, and finally by way of the Lord’s own thirty-three years of life on earth …what the Bible is telling us by all of these things in their chronological order, and explicitly in Exodus 23, is that spiritual growth and rebirth, and also the growth of human relationships, are slow…and gradual…and seasonal…and majestic.
Like the change of the seasons,
And the turning of the tide,
And the growth of a tree,
And the opening of a flower.
He’s telling us that we can’t expect to break out of dysfunctional ways of thinking, destructive tendencies, hurtful attitudes, or habits and vices of life in an instant. There is a tendency of the followers of Christ to believe that somehow any bad habit within us can be changed within a heartbeat and we suddenly become flawless. As with ourselves, we learn about destructive forms of anger and opposite forms of love, and we don’t want to be angry people; we want to be loving people instead. And so we may begin to act like we "aren’t angry” (…and that’s a good start!) we might even think that because of our new outward behavior, that suddenly we aren’t angry any more. But does acting like we aren’t angry and thinking we aren't angry really take anger away--remove it (finger snap) in an instant? Often it doesn’t, and we end up just kidding ourselves and our anger goes on burning. The truth is, human nature can't be changed in a moment, but only gradually--as we daily learn the truth of orderly living from the Lord and then with the Lord’s help and power put that truth to work in both the inner and outer parts of our lives, refusing to do what is hurtful or "evil" to other people because it is against the Lord’s will and good intentions, and then acting on the goodness that presents itself to us as an option for our lives. “ He or she who has My commandments and lives them,” the Lord says, “ he it is who loves me; and I will come to him or her and make My home with him” John 14:21. “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you become fruitful and inherit the land" Exodus 23:30. It's in keeping with this Scripture that the teachings of the New Church suggest that spiritual growth is not hurried; rather, it is slow and gradual. Everything that we have ever thought; everything that we have ever intended in our hearts; every word that we have ever spoken; and every action that we have ever done--from our earliest childhood on through to the present moment--becomes part of the composition of our lives. It helps form the fabric of who we are. Ultimately, we know that each one of us, having operated in the flesh has certain destructive tendencies and dysfunctional ways of thinking that we bring into our spiritual DNA when becoming "Christian." Though are sins are forgiven, the tendency TO SIN is still there.
So what’s the point? The point is that the growth and development and rebirth of the human spirit, isn't something that happens (finger snap) all at once. Instead, the Lord’s mercy is constantly at work with us--every moment, throughout the entire course of our Christian journey--guiding us and gently moving us with all of the love, patience, wisdom, and majesty that we see
in nature—
In the change of the seasons;
In the turning of the tides;
In the growth of a tree;
And in the opening of a flower.
God has given each believer "POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD" (John 1:12.) The life and journey of a born-again Christian is a long, day by day, month by month, year by year process
of growth, error, sin, forgiveness, hope, growth, error, knowledge, slipping, forgiveness, understanding, obedience, comprehension, maturity, and wisdom! Don't allow yourself to give up your Christian walk if you struggle to maintain a spotless record. No one stops cursing overnight, harnesses a bad temper, or doesn't get tempted to give into physical lust, etc. The more you read and plant the seeds of Gods words in your heart and mind for spiritual guidance and knowledge, the more you'll learn and receive power to overcome temptation and committing offenses and sins. Some of us are just a seedling. Others have vegetation and growth. There are others blooming and coming into maturity, while the remainder are producing fruit. Wherever you are in the link walking with Christ, be encouraged to continue growing, despite weakness, doubt, hardship, or failure. Just know, true repentance is more than acknowledging sin, it is turning away from sin and to God. It is not simply saying ‘Lord, I repent’ and while still seeking sin out. If you find that your desires are sinful, pray ‘Lord, create in me clean and pure desires. Take out these sinful desires in my heart.’ Be honest with yourself. You won’t get past sinful desires if you never admit that they are there. The bottom line is, Christian living is all about glorifying God by enjoying Him and being with Him. It’s not supposed to be about trying to not sin. I’m not trying to lessen the seriousness of sin, but I am trying to magnify the importance of the pursuit of enjoying God. When you enjoy God, you obey Him more consistently because it’s based on love. And love produces a powerful kind of obedience.
Until He Comes,
-Pat-
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