Having a baby is exciting, but you sure don’t want your child to stay a baby forever! For the adult in the relationship, babies take a lot of work. There are glimpses of real connection but for the most part, there are months and months of a one sided relationship. There is also the joy of watching the baby grow, develop new skills and explore their world. That’s when it starts to really get exciting! You move on from offering a completely liquid diet and start offering some texture and chunks. They start to get physically mobile and you cheer! They start to walk and you are bursting with pride. They fall down many times before they get the hang of it. And all the while, you’re there with them. Watching, guiding, cheering, supporting.
The stage is similar in your spiritual life, except it involves less mashed veggies! God is there with you, watching, guiding, cheering and supporting, and so are your Christian brothers and sisters. The bonus here is that you have a say in how fast you move on from the spoon fed stage. There is a time for listening and accepting what you’re told, but God doesn’t want you to follow him blindly. God wants a real relationship with you. He wants you to question, discuss, debate even! He wants you to share with him when you are happy and when you’re not. He wants you to cry out to him when you feel like all is lost. He wants to hear you praise him when you see a beautiful sunrise/newborn baby/volcano.
Do you feel like it’s time to grow in your relationship with God? There are a few simple things you can do.
1. Commit to regularly reading your bible. It takes about 28 days to form a new habit, so start by promising yourself (and God) that you’ll read every day for 28 days. Choose a time of day that works for you and schedule it in. Ask God to help you remember. If you’re home with young kids, early morning before they’ve woken, or during nap time are good times or if you’re still mentally alert, after you’ve got them in bed. If you’re out in the workforce, perhaps your lunch break would be a good opportunity, or on the bus during your commute (provided you aren’t the one driving!!) Pray before and after reading. Just a simple prayer will do. Ask God to speak to you through his word.
2. Regularly attend church. Here you will not only be able to hear preaching on God’s word and spend time praising him, but you’ll also meet and have a chance to form friendships with other Christians. It really is important to be a part of the body of Christ, and it’s much harder to do if you’re on your own all the time.
3. Join a group. If you aren’t already studying God’s word with others, now would be a great time to start. Ask a leader of your church to suggest a group which might be good for you. Regularly meeting with a small group to study the bible, share and pray for each other, is a wonderful encouragement.
4. Pray. Spend time with God. Talk to him and give him a chance to talk back. You can’t have a deep relationship with someone you hardly ever talk to. God is ready to work with you on this relationship!
I would love to hear about your spiritual growth, past or present, and have the opportunity to pray for you. Do you have any other advice for those who are ready to stop being Fat Babies?