A few years ago, we were having our family devotion. As I rounded up the prayer, I began laying hands and praying over my wife and children. As I got to my younger daughter, I said, “Father, thank you for our baby…” Immediately, my daughter revolted; “I’m not a baby!” I almost burst into laughter. But I learnt a lesson.
Friend, growth doesn’t just happen. It is not automatic. Time is a factor for growth and greatness. However, time does not necessarily change you, but your response to time does. Patience is not just about waiting. It is about what you do while you wait (Hebrews 6:12).
Time must be used to transition from babyhood to maturity (1 Corinthians 13:11). We don’t just count years; we must make our years count (Psalms 90:12). While it is not a sin to be a child, it becomes a concern when one remains a child (Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:40,49,52).
Perhaps the problem of the first man (Adam) was that he never had the opportunity to grow (Genesis 1:26-27). Jesus, the last Adam, had the opportunity to grow so that He could fulfil His destiny without failing (Luke 2:40, 52).
If Jesus grew, you need to grow. If Paul grew, you need to grow. Even John the Baptist grew so he could fulfil his prophetic destiny (Luke 1:80). This is where time comes in, and our response to it is very important. That you got born again 10 years ago does not mean that Heaven can count on you.
Also, position or status does not necessarily equal growth. You can be married and still be a child. You can be a pastor and still be a child. You can be the leader of a nation or group and still be a child (Ecclesiastes 10:16). Growth doesn’t just happen. You need to make it happen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria