A Growing Christian

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-5

“You’re growing like a weed!” Landon’s mother stood with tape measure in hand. She had just checked to see how much he had grown since the last time they measured. “Almost two inches,” she announced.

“Wow!” Landon was impressed with himself. “Hey, Mom, what makes kids grow?”

“Well, a healthy diet, good exercise, and plenty of rest are important,” Mom replied. “Of course, it’s really God who gives life and has made our bodies so that they will grow.”

“I wish I were as tall as Dad,” said Landon.

“Someday you may be taller,” replied Mom with a smile. “Sometimes kids grow taller than their parents. But if you don’t grow that tall, that’s okay too.”

“William says he hangs by his hands from a bar every day, hoping he’ll get taller,” said Landon. “I think he’ll just get long arms if he does that.”

Mom laughed. “He’ll probably just get sore arms. Like I said, how tall you grow isn’t terribly important, and there’s not a whole lot you can do about it anyway.” Mom paused and patted her son’s arm. “There is one kind of growth that you can do something about though.”

“What kind is that?” asked Landon eagerly.

“It’s your spiritual growth. The food you eat helps you grow physically, and the Bible is like food that helps you grow spiritually,” replied Mom.

“Oh, right.” Landon nodded. “We learned a verse at church that called the Bible ‘milk.’”

“Yes, that’s in First Peter. It says we should want the ‘milk of the word,’ and like you said, that’s referring to the Bible. As we read it and learn more about Jesus, the Holy Spirit uses it to help us grow spiritually and show His love to others.”

“My teacher at church says a new baby is cute, but if it never grows, there’s something wrong,” said Landon. “He says that’s true of Christians too. We should keep growing as the months and years go by.”

“That’s right,” said Mom. “And one of the ways God helps us grow is by helping us understand who He is and what He’s done for us through His Word.” She went to the coffee table and picked up her Bible. “Why don’t we read some verses right now?”

• Charlie VanderMeer

How About You?

Are you a growing Christian? Do you know more about Jesus now than you did a year ago? Do you trust Him more fully than you used to? Are you more content, more loving, a kinder person, a more cheerful giver? Be sure to read and learn all you can from God’s Word, the Bible. As you learn more about Jesus and His great love for you, God will use it to help you grow spiritually.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation. (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Grow spiritually