Growth and Developmental Milestones

Growth and Developmental Milestones

Looking at this sweet fella makes me remember all of the many doctor visits we had with our own babies some years ago. All of the questions they would ask from bowel habits to tummy time, from eating habits to head circumference...the questions the doctor would ask about our children and their development were a bit in depth at times. The chart the doctor uses to determine growth and what normal values look like seem to be universal. From the looks of it, Dylan is finding his way toward becoming a little man!

Our physical development is based on a set of "norms" (normal values) used across the board to determine if a child is under or overweight, on the growth chart for height or off the charts indicating a child above average for their age in height. These "norms" also span across psychology and determine if needs for a child were met from birth or if there were neglected. Psychology has some thought provoking theories, I won't refute that in this blog, however as a Christ follower I don't allow psychology to dictate or determine my thought processes in ministry.

Just as doctors and psychologists have their set of "norms" for determining whether or not a child is growing properly, in the life of a believer we have "norms" that can be expected as the believer grows. There is a big difference in the life of a person who has surrendered their life to Christ, died to themselves, and now lives a sold out and committed life for Jesus. Here are some of the things that can be expected as growth norms for Christ followers:
-daily reading of the Bible, an intimate prayer life with the Father, obedience to the things God says to do, choosing not to give in to temptation and sin, sacrifice of the things the flesh wants and desires, giving of self, learning more and more about the Lord and His ways out of desire for Him and not obligation. The list could go on. But I can't keep listing these "norms" because there are some people who met God but never surrendered themselves to Him. That changes the growth chart. There are some who like the idea of him so they simply come to church and go on about their lives Monday through Saturday and appear to know God on Sunday- this throws off the norms on the growth chart.

Growth in the physical cannot be stopped. Stunted, yes. Deprived, yes. Malnourished, yes, but totally stopped- no! In the spiritual realm growth can absolutely stop. You can actually go backwards and actually attempt to revert to a time when you weren't accountable for the doctrine you know in your heart about God and what His worth is to each of us. But the Bible says it is better for us to have not known the ways of righteousness than to know and not do them.  Spiritual growth is individual and cannot be determined by age, height, or weight. No, we measure spiritual growth in the overflow of the desire you have for God.
This type of growth and development is based on your understanding of the sacrifice that God made for you. What is it worth to you? Do you really want to inherit Heaven one day? Do you really want those around you to come to know a savior that won't leave them hung over, hurting, alone, and dying in the physical while they try to fill a void that was meant to only be filled by the God of the Universe?

To look at a Christian who is not growing, is malnourished, isn't glorifying God with their everyday life- one has to come to the conclusion that either they aren't seeking the Lord or they are not in the right place to experience growth. The good news is, if you want to grow you can. If you want to start glorifying God with your life start today. If you want to experience a change in your life God wants that for you. So many believers come to church when it is convenient for them- to that I say hell is full of believers with agendas and busy schedules. Hell is full of people who are soaking wet with a membership from churches.

I asked a sweet sister from the church we are serving if I could post the picture of the adorable little boy in the picture up top. I then asked her to take a picture of herself and give me her spiritual growth and development norms for her age and this season of life. She was so kind to do just that. Before I show you her list, I want you to know that her growth is in the strive. She, just like you and I have to want God- all of Him. The good, the discipline, the trials, the tough stuff because it is worth it. God is worth it. As you look at little Dylan's growth and development at this age, look at his mamas spiritual growth at her stage in life. She is ever mothering, doing laundry, taking care of her husband the farmer. She's busy. She's precious. She is growing and it is indeed measured by how she lives everyday life.

What about you and me today? The world is full of selfies and accolades for us, me, and mine! What about your spiritual growth. If you aren't sure how this growth thing works, it's simple. You first have to die. Die to yourself, your sin, your desires. You cannot love God out of obligation. He doesn't want your love in that way. Growth begins when you realize that God wants to use your vessel to bring glory and honor to His name.

I don't usually ask for responses to my posts, but today I am. All my church ladies- send me a text with your picture and your growth for this season of life. I want to see how we are all doing, and....I promise not to ask questions like the pediatrician does.