(photo courtesy of isplash.com)

Sneaking around under the cover of darkness, he nervously looked up and down the street to make sure no one was watching. Gathering his nerve, Nic approached the controversial teacher with his burning question. He was an educated man with prominence in the community, especially the religious community. Yet he was tiptoeing around because he had to know. After he received his answer, he only had more questions.

John 3:9, “‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.” NIV

BIRTH IS A CAPTIVATING PROCESS

Though I had the privilege of delivering thousands of babies, the experience never lost its wonder. The moment a newborn grimaces and takes the first breath is indescribable. Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. An odd concept, to be born again. I have held a lot of newborns and I can testify they are weak and needy, helpless and completely dependent.

John 3:3, “Jesus replied, ‘I assure you:  Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” HCSB

IT’S HOW WE COME

Naked. No abilities. Incapable of caring for ourselves, much less others. We come empty handed with nothing to offer but our need. We cannot clean up our act and change our ways and then come. We must come as we are.

Ephesians 2:8-9, “Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably be going around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves.” MSG

Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot;

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

BUT IT IS NOT HOW WE STAY

Many of the babies I delivered are now grown. Although newborns are precious when they are small, they are supposed to develop and mature. Parents are concerned when a child is not sitting, walking or talking by a certain age. Yet how many Christians do not meet any spiritual milestones?

1 Peter 2:2, “as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” NKJV

INTERVENTION

Early intervention is crucial for developmental delays. Equal emphasis should be placed on Christian growth. Children grow by being taught, nourished and nurtured. Christians too. We are fed by the word, taught by the church and nurtured by community. We grow through prayer. It is abnormal to remain a baby indefinitely. How old are you? It is time we acted our age.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” KJV

GROWTH CHART

When I was a little girl I had a growth chart on my wall. The orange and yellow giraffe measured up to six feet. Well, I only made it to five. Barely. I am pretty short in stature. Unfortunately, when I evaluate my Christian walk I come up short there too. When I ask the Lord to examine my heart, He often shows me the same snare of sin I have dealt with for years. Sometimes I wonder if I have grown. I have, but only about five feet. But, I want to be a giant (spiritually, not physically).

Psalm 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart:  Try me, and know my thoughts” ASV

Are you meeting milestones or is your growth stunted?

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