Slow Growth

Recently, God used a 5-year-old boy to teach me about growth. It was a Sunday, and I was leading the large group time for our church’s 2 to 5-year-olds. This time includes worship and a Bible lesson. That day I gave an introduction to “The Shrink Song.” If you aren’t familiar with it, this song has a simple message, if you read your Bible and pray every day, you will grow, grow, grow, but if you don’t read your Bible and pray every day, you will shrink, shrink, shrink.

During my song introduction, one little boy was watching and listening with a very confused look on his face. Quickly, he blurted out, “No, I don’t think so.” I could tell he was not trying to argue, but he really wanted to understand. From his experience reading your Bible and growing did not connect.

After singing, we moved into our lesson for the day that focused on the truth that God loves everyone. He loves us no matter what, even when we make mistakes. I could see my little friend was continuing to listen, processing and wanting to ask questions. When large group wrapped up, all the children went back to their classrooms, but he stayed sitting on the rug with his head down on his knees.

Sitting down beside him, I asked what he was thinking. He began to share how he reads his Bible, but he still gets upset. Sometimes he even yells. Keep in mind, this little guy is only 5-years-old, but is very serious about growing. So we talked about how he can pray and talk to God anytime, even when he is upset. We talked about how God loves him no matter what. But still, his question remained, “Do I really grow when I read my Bible?”

This little boy’s question is a question that I have asked before, and I am guessing most of you have asked too. We want to know: why don’t I see more growth in my life? Why do I still get angry? Why do I mess up so often? Why can’t I get it together?

Sitting there with this little guy, I was trying to see the message of “The Shrink Song” through his eyes. The lyrics make it sound so simple; read your Bible and you will grow. Maybe he was thinking of physical growth. If so, you definitely don’t see that every time you read your Bible and pray. However, I believe he was looking for spiritual growth, and the reality is, you don’t see that every time you read your Bible and pray either.

At that moment, God gave me a simple analogy to share with him. I asked if he ever needs to get new shoes because his feet are growing. He nodded. Then I asked him if he ever actually sees his feet grow. This time he shook his head no. I explained, in the same way his feet are growing even if he can’t sit and watch it happen, when he reads his Bible and prays, he is growing too.

While there are times and seasons we see quick spiritual growth, most often it comes slow and steady, similar to a little child’s body growing up. Even if you sit for a day to watch, you can’t physically see a child grow, but think about when you have not seen a toddler for a few months. After being away and seeing them again, you clearly notice their physical and developmental growth.

Often we focus on the immediate. If asked if we are growing spiritually, we might give the same answer as my little friend, “No, I don’t think so.” We can’t see our spiritual growth as we go through our day to day activities, but over time, when we are consistently following God, spending time in His word, and listening to Him, we will grow.

Growth is not instantaneous. It is about more than a moment, it takes place over seasons. It is about the long haul. We cannot give up, instead, we have to step back and look at the whole picture. We have to continue to read God’s word and talk with Him. When you stay strong in God, you will find, just like the children’s song says, you will grow, grow, grow.

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“But the one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, that man will be blessed in all he does.”
James 1:25 NASB

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and its leaf does not wither and in whatever he does he prospers.”
Psalm 1:2-3 NASB

“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15 NASB