My family welcomed a beautiful baby boy, our first child, some months ago. As new parents, we quickly realized we had a lot to learn, and honestly, we still do. Every day is a lesson in love, patience, sacrifice, and awe.
A few days back, our son reached a major growth milestone. We were beyond excited, celebrating the small victory of his development. But in that moment of joy, something else happened, he started to look different in a way. My boy was no longer the same as before. I was reminded of something.
That reminder is growth.
As much as I love holding this little bundle of joy in my arms, I know that for him to thrive, I must allow him to grow. He isn’t meant to stay this small forever. Growth is something that ought to happen.
The Design of Growth
Growth is often defined as the process of increasing in size or maturity. It’s everywhere, from the towering trees to the animals in the field, to us as human beings. YAHUAH designed the world this way for a specific reason. We are born into this world as infants, and by His grace, we grow older into adults, gain wisdom, knowledge and fulfill our purpose.
But just as our physical bodies are designed to grow, our ruach (spirit) must grow as well.
Moving Beyond the Milk
As believers, it is easy to become “comfortable” in the nursery of our faith. However, the Bible is clear that staying in a state of spiritual infancy is not YAHUAH’s desire for us. Two specific scriptures come to mind when I think about this:
- Kepha Ri’shon (1 Peter) 2:1-3 | את Cepher
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that YAHUAH is gracious.
- Ivriym (Hebrews) 5:12-14 | את Cepher
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teaches you again which be the first principles of the oracles of Elohiym; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong food. For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong food belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
There is a “Spiritual Stagnation” that many of us face at some point in our lives. This is something we must overcome immediately and with urgency. Spiritual milk represents the basic principles of grace and salvation. But “solid food” is about deep wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and learning how to serve YAHUAH and obeying HIS commands. Feeding on YAHUAH’s word is what helps us overcome this Spiritual Stagnation.
We wouldn’t want a child to stay on a diet of milk forever; eventually, their body will require more food to survive. The same is true for your spirit.
What to do?
Desire the Word (1 Peter 2:2): Just as your son cries when he is hungry, we have to develop a “righteous hunger.” Spiritual growth starts with a desire for the Bible, not just a duty to read it. Read the Bible intentionally and allow The Most High to pour into you.
Practice Discernment (Hebrews 5:14): The “solid food” is for those who, by constant use, have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Spiritual growth is like a muscle; it only gets stronger when it is used in real-world situations. You will need the knowledge and wisdom of YAHUAH for true discernment. The fear of YAHUAH is the beginning of wisdom.
Move from Hearing to Teaching (Hebrews 5:12): You don’t have to be a pastor to be a teacher. You can share what YAHUAH is doing in your life such as helping you overcome certain temptations or difficult situations. Even some words of encouragement to a friend going through a tough situation makes a great difference.
A Personal Decision
While physical growth happens automatically as time passes, spiritual growth is a personal decision. When you make that decision to truly love and obey our Father, then the automatic spiritual growth starts to show up in our lives.
YAHUAH provides nourishment, but we must choose to eat it. We have to decide to move past the milk and seek the solid food of the Word through constant practice, prayer, and Bible study. It is a choice to move from asking “What can YAHUAH do for me?” to ask “How can I best serve YAHUAH?”
As I watch my son grow, I am challenged to look at my own heart. Am I maturing at the pace YAHUAH intended? Am I training myself to distinguish good from evil? Am I serving YAHUAH the way HE desires? Am I doing HIS will or mine?
Reflection: Let’s Grow Together
Consider these questions:
- Identify the Season: Looking at your spiritual life right now, would you say you are in a season of milk or solid food?
- The Appetite: In 1 Peter 2:2, we are told to desire spiritual milk. What are some things in your daily life that might be dulling your spiritual appetite?
- The Next Step: What is one “personal decision” you can make now to prioritize your growth?
YAHUAH Shalom.
Drop a comment below and let’s encourage one another. What is one area of your faith where you are ready to move toward “solid food”?
