For many years, the late Detroit Tigers broadcaster, Ernie Harwell, would begin the initial spring training baseball game by quoting Song of Solomon 2:11-12 “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land”. Springtime, warmer weather and signs of new life and growth bring hope and encouragement in our lives.
Growth is a sure sign of physical life. Likewise, growth is an evidence of spiritual life. The Apostle Peter admonishes us to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” – 2 Peter 3:18. Just as our physical growth is directly related to our diet and exercise, our spiritual growth is related to these two spiritual disciplines.
Our diet or intake of God’s Word is crucial to our growth. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation”. – 1 Peter 2:2 Our growth in grace will be directly related to our hearing, reading, studying and meditating on the Scriptures.
Our growth will also be directly related to our involvement in the lives of others in the body of Christ as we fellowship, worship and serve one another with our giftedness. “From Him (Jesus) the whole body grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”. – Ephesians 4:16.
I trust that you will be intentional in your spiritual growth as you “… exercise yourself to be godly”. – 1 Timothy 4:7. As we look around and see the evidence of springtime, I trust you will also see growth in your spiritual life. Let’s grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus!