Mark 4:21-34
How
can you tell is someone is growing spiritually? We can’t measure spiritual
growth in a CAT scan, or with a blood test. And spiritual growth can’t always
be seen in the present moment. Sometimes it takes time to notice the changes. Do
you know if you are growing?
Jesus
pulled His disciples aside to explain the parable of the soils. Mark includes
in his presentation of the Servant of the LORD five other word pictures, two of
them are parables to expand his examination of spiritual growth. Spiritual
growth is not meant to be mystery and Jesus gave us insight into some of the
characteristics of that growth.
Spiritual Growth is meant to be visible,
comes proportionally, follows a predictable pattern, is surprisingly powerful
and increases in capacity. No matter what positive characteristic a person
could possess, if it followed this pattern, you could see it.
So as we go through these illustrations of
these characteristics of spiritual growth, I want you to think about areas in
your life that you identify as being connected to God’s work in you and ask
these questions. Can it be seen? How much am I putting into it? Where am I in
the trajectory of growth? Can I sense God’s power at work in it? What is the
capacity that has changed for the better?
Part of spiritual growth is making an
assessment every once in a while to see if we are in fact growing. Some people
chart their children’s physical growth by marking it periodically on the door
frame in their house. They mark the date and the name right on the jam. So over
the years you can look at the frame and see the heights of the marks
progressing as the years have passed. You can chart the growth in height over
time.
We have a responsibility to be deliberate
about our spiritual growth. If we want to lose weight, we write down our
starting weight, step on the scale periodically, and compare. We count
calories, exercise, and keep track of it all in order to be deliberate about
our progress. Shouldn’t we use the same diligence about our spiritual life?
A Bible reading plan is a good way to
start. Be consistent in your devotional time each day. Be consistent in church attendance.
Get involved in a small group for accountability. Find an outreach project to
which you can commit, and then follow through on the commitment. Decide what
you are going to give, and then give it.
Each of these areas are things can could
be tracked.