GROWING
It is so amazing to know how ‘life’ begins in a woman’s womb from a tiny mass of cells, GROWING to become a tiny little baby - nine months later. GROWING takes place tremendously during the conception process. Here is a month by month account of one’s ‘life journey’.
In the first month of pregnancy, a fetus is only an embryo consisting of two layers of cells from which all organs and body parts will develop. One month later, the fetus GROWS up to the size of a kidney bean with distinct and slight webbed fingers. During the third month of pregnancy, the fetus GROWS to three inches long and the tiny unique fingerprints are now in place. The skeleton begins to harden from a rubbery cartilage to bones after four months of pregnancy, and by the fifth month, the eyebrows and eyelids are in place. If the legs are stretched out, the length of the baby is now more than 10.5 inches long. By the six month, the baby weighs 1.5lbs and his/her wrinkled skin is beginning to smooth out.
In the seventh month of pregnancy, the baby can now open and close the eyes and perhaps also see around the womb. By the eighth month of hiding comfortably in this convenient place, the baby weighs about 4.7lbs, with layers of fat filling the baby and making him/her rounder. The lungs are well developed at this point.Finally, after nine months in the womb, the baby has to leave this comfort zone and continue to GROW up to the maximum size and perfect GROWTH of a mature person. (Source: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy-week-by-wee... this incredible?
In like manner, in the incarnation process in Mary’s womb, Jesus experienced what millions of babies have, but after He was born, Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus GREW in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (NIV).Jesus had continuous growth, GROWING in stature and wisdom, and in favor with God and man.He inspires us alike - no matter our race, nationality, or gender, we are to GROW in our spirituality, in wisdom and stature, fully developed and mature.
Peter gives us a great and inspiring summary of how we can GROW in godly maturity.He wrote in 1 Peter 2:1-3, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (2) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may GROW up in your salvation, (3) now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”Thus, we acknowledge God’s grace in motivating us to GROW up in Him, followed by giving up our immature demeanor: malice, hypocrisy, envy and every kind of slander. Then with a strong desire to ‘drink spiritual milk’ which is the Word of God, we begin GROWING up in Christ.
Question: Have I GROWN UP in my spiritual life or, am I still GROWING UP in my faith in Jesus? Will I ever GROW UP?
Hiskia Missah
Editor
