Maturity, Spiritual Maturity

One day following the end of World War I, General Louis Lyautey asked his gardener to plant a particular type of tree on his estate. The gardener objected that the tree, being unusually slow to grow, would take nearly a century to reach maturity. "In that case," the marshal replied, "there is no time to lose. Plant it this afternoon!"

Maturing is a long and sometimes slow process. You don't need to rely on church for your spiritual food. Rather, take in portions throughout the week - do a personal Bible study, attend a group Bible study, listen to Bible teaching on the radio or watch teaching on TV, be focused on your prayer life. As a child grows into a man, he is ready for solid foods. In the same way, when Christians mature spiritually, they crave deeper satisfaction. It takes a lifetime of growth to become spiritually mature, but it's a beautiful and worthwhile process, just as waiting for a tree to blossom. Be patient as you work towards maturity in Christ. (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 4-27-04)