Hebrews 5:12 AMP – For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food.
But how could I understand this as a young girl? I did not grow up in a Christian home with Christian parents. My home was broken in so many ways. When I did start going to church in the 7th grade, how could I understand what the Pastor was saying? It sounded like Greek to me. But the one thing I do remember about that time is that I heard about a man, Jesus, and I didn’t know why, but I fell in love with Him. I wanted to know Him more and more. But how do you learn about Him when you don’t know the bible, you didn’t grow up in the Word, and you don’t know what questions to ask? I just floated along in a sea of “what am I supposed to do?”
Hebrews 6:1 tells us: Therefore, let us get past the elementary stage in the teachings about Christ, advancing on to maturity and perfection and spiritual completeness, without laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
How was I supposed to get past the elementary stage? Well, let me tell you. Because I stayed in this stage for many years. I was a baby Christian for way too long.
I now know that God’s timing is perfect. But as a baby Christian, I didn’t know about God’s timing, just mine and it was “I want it and I want it now.” Can you imagine how frustrating that was? The older I got the more confused and frustrated I became. I didn’t grow much because I wasn’t hearing much about God’s grace, so I was a works righteous Christian, trying to work for my salvation. I ended up walking away from church for a time because of my confusion. I used to say I walked away from God, but I know that He was with me always. I didn’t walk away from Him, He would not let me.
Colossians 1:9b-10 says: “We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God”
When I came to Harvest, I finally started “getting it”. It isn’t about me and what I do, it is all about Jesus and what He did for me. That man that I loved as a youth was always there for me. He led me through so much, even when I didn’t know He was there. I was growing slowly. Was this God’s timing? I sometimes think that God moved too slowly for me, but I know that I probably wouldn’t have learned as much in my own timing. I am too impatient. He had to take me back to the basics for me to fully understand and GROW.
As I was praying about what to write, I heard a song. I have heard this song many times. It spoke to me and then I heard it again this morning and it really moved me. I will close with some of the lyrics, it is “Even if” by Mercy Me.
“They say it only takes a little faith to move a mountain.
Good thing a little faith is all I have right now.
But God when You choose to leave mountains unmovable.
Oh, give me the strength to be able to sing it is well with my soul.
I know You’re able and I know You can
save through the fire with Your mighty hand
but even if You don’t my hope is You alone.
I know the sorrow and I know the hurt
would all go away if You’d just say the word,
but even if You don’t my hope is You alone.
You’ve been faithful, You’ve been good all of my days.
Jesus, I will cling to You, come what may.”
I want to keep growing, no matter my age and I want to do all I can to help others to grow. And I want to praise God “Even if” He grows me in His timing and not my own. Some of the best advice I have for a new Christian is this: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, like I was. Reach out to someone!
Thank You Lord that You helped me grow in Your timing!
We want to thank Debbie Crosby for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 