Spiritual Growth
By Kristi Palmer
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Not long ago I read this verse and came to the realization that I had been looking at the idea of fruits of the Spirit all wrong. I used to see this verse and feel discouraged, knowing how imperfect I am and how impossible it seemed that I could ever muster up all of these fabulous character traits. It seemed to just be a list of things at which I frequently failed. But this time, I noticed the importance of the word "fruit." The healthy tree that has been well planted, pruned, and cared for will, in time, mature into a fruit-producing tree. The longer the tree's needs are met, the more fruit it will produce. If a tree is healthy, we don't question if it will produce fruit, we simply know that it will.
The trick is not to muster up the energy and willpower to produce good fruit. The secret is in caring for the tree, or in my case, caring for my spiritual well-being. Spiritual growth is a matter of input and exercise, and these are things that I can manage and direct.
So what can I do to see spiritual growth in my life?
I can study the Bible regularly.
Bible study sounds daunting to a beginner, but the truth is that I just need to read God's Word and then think about it. I need to prioritize this daily habit by finding a way to make it happen every day. For some people, that means getting up early enough to do devotions before doing anything else. Others can't even form coherent thoughts in the morning hours but are alert and ready to study in the evening. Whenever you do it, read your Bible when you are able to set aside enough time to focus and contemplate what you read.
Additional things that help me study the Scriptures include reading Christian books that explore biblical topics and passages as well as journaling the thoughts, verses, and ideas that jump out at me as I read. I find some books worth reading annually. Each year brings new challenges, and I am often a different person when I read a book the second time than I was the first time I read it.
I can establish new habits in practicing the Way of Jesus.
We hear a lot about spiritual disciplines, but sometimes fear that phrase because it makes spiritual growth sound difficult and boring. Really, we just need to look at how Jesus lived His life and then do the things He did. I realized long ago that the easiest way to make progress in any specific area of my life was to simply to ask God for help and then act like the person I wanted to become. I want to be more patient? Then I pretend that I am. I drive in the slow lane, I slow down when pushing my cart through the grocery store, and I hold my tongue when I want to shout at my children to please just get in the car. Inside, I may be screaming in frustration, but I employ the fake it till you make it strategy, and over time, it really does become more natural. Practice makes perfect (or at least much better).
I must look at the aspects of Jesus's life that I want to embody and then do the things He did! He took time apart in solitude, treated rest as important, put relationships above appearances, spent a lot of time talking to His Father, and more. He is my ultimate example -- I don't have to reinvent the wheel here!
I can participate in sharpening relationships.
Proverbs 27:7 (KJV) tells us: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." God gives me the gift of fellow Christians, and I ought to take advantage of the insight they have. Spending time with friends and mentors who sharpen me is invaluable. It's easy to desire an echo chamber and friends to tickle my ears or commiserate with me when I'm frustrated. But the best friends are those who challenge me to see things the way God sees them, encourage me to grow through difficult circumstances, and desire what's best for me, even when it's not the same as what I want. Those who are willing to speak the truth in love will lead me towards spiritual maturity and will respect and appreciate me when I do the same for them.
I need to make time for relationships and seek out friends and mentors who will pour more of Jesus' love into me. I can carve out time each week or month to spend time feeding mutually beneficial relationships that will move me closer to God and closer to whom He wants me to be.
Spiritual growth simply involves being planted well and then watering and caring for my relationship with Jesus. As I continually do so, God will produce fruit in my life, and that fruit of the Spirit will be the characteristics that come from my loving Father. Personal spiritual growth can't be found overnight, but it is possible if I simply trust God and follow the example set by Jesus.