Time to Bloomনমুনা

Grow and Mature

It’s only when we are surrendered and obedient to God’s Spirit that a deep intimacy develops, leading us into the depths of God's heart. This experience of growing in the Lord is wonderfully shown in the experience the prophet Ezekiel had with the waters flowing from the house of God:

“The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east... He brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits and led me through the water that was ankle-deep. He measured another thousand cubits and led me through the water that was knee-deep. He measured another thousand and led me through the water that was up to the waist. He measured another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.” Ezekiel 47:1–5 (NIV)

In our journey of blooming in the Lord, there is a time when the waters only reach our feet. But as we grow in Christ, the waters reach our knees, then our waist, and eventually, we have to swim. We shouldn't forget Paul's words: "you ought to be." These words refer to believers who have lagged behind and are not producing the fruit they should be.

I believe every one of us should long to swim in the waters of knowing God. I see Paul swimming so deep in those waters that he had to exclaim:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33 (NIV)

The enemy does not want God’s children to mature in the Lord. The less we grow, the weaker we will be, and the easier we are to devour. The less we grow, the less fruit we will bear for God’s glory.

But God wants us to grow and mature in Him; that is His will! He wants us to know Him. He wants to reveal heavenly wisdom to us and show us His glory. God wants to give us words taught by the Spirit. He wants us to exercise our senses in discerning good and evil. All these things lead us to spiritual maturity.

By holding onto Christ, the head of the Church, we receive the power to grow. A will surrendered to Christ, a soul passionately in love with the Lord, worshiping at His feet—that is a life that adores Him in spirit and in truth. If we seek and live these things, how can we not grow and mature in the Lord? God gives the growth, the Holy Spirit gives the revelation, and our life in Christ—staying close to the true Vine—nourishes us to grow.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

For you, for me, and for all of God's children, it's time to bloom!

Grettchen Figueroa's Books

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