“I am the vine. You are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:6
For many of us Christians, our faith is what sustains us every day. It is also something that’s always been a part of our life journey. From our first prayer to the first Bible lesson in school, our Christian life is one of nurturing and continuous growth. We start and end our day with an act of faith, and that is prayer. As we journey into life, our relationship with God also takes a journey. We graduate from simple prayers of devotion to more personal petitions and expressions of gratitude and devotion. And in all these, God is in the center of our growth. But what exactly does it mean to grow as a Christian, and what are the steps of growth that ensure a healthy and meaningful relationship with God?
A few days ago, I came across a site where an article inspired by a book that talks about steps of growth as a Christian by Marianna Albritton. The book is entitled Come Climb Toward God: Are You Hungry for God by Albritton, and it was published just last year. In the book inspired by the book, the writer mentions four growth areas, including prayer, the Bible, fellowship, and practicing goodness. This inspiring read made me think of my own journey as a Christian. Below is the shortlist of steps ( I added one which I think everyone can also relate.) from the said article with my own reflections on each item. I hope you will find inspiration in this article as it inspired me to renew my faith and personal growth with God.
Recognize God’s grace in your life
The first is my addition to the list. Personally, I think everything starts with acknowledgment. We must first be able to hear God’s voice in our lives and accept that his presence is essential in our journey. This is the first step of faith and growth as a Christian. By believing that God is with us, we also make ourselves ready for his design and purpose. Otherwise, we cannot move forward to the next steps of growth based on Albritton’s work. Accepting Christ in our life is a major decision and one that must be made with sincerity.
Have a thorough study of the Bible
The Bible is essential to the life and journey of every Christian. It is the foundation of our faith and contains the Word of God and His Wisdom. Every Christian is encouraged to not only embrace the Bible and its contents but to live by the gospels and the guidance of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is a comprehensive guide that is meant to be reviewed constantly and thoroughly. Aside from serving as a guidebook, the Bible is actually full of inspiring tales and stories. Studying the Bible need not be a ponderous tome. Do enjoy it, and before you know, you will come to seek its content more often.
Make it a habit to pray every day
Perhaps the simplest and most appropriate definition of prayer is talking to God. Talking to God bring you closer to Him, just as talking to your friends makes you close friends or talking to your siblings often creates a strong bond that cannot be broken easily. And talking to God need not feel like a chore where in memorize prayers of the old text. Prayer is a personal activity with God. You can talk to him about anything- ask him questions, guidance, blessings, or you can say sorry and thank Him for whatever you have received. Prayer is an act of faith, and to grow as Christian, we must practice it as often as we can.
Gather with other Christians for fellowship
Faith is best shared and preached to others. As followers of Christ, we are called to be a part of the community and to spread the gospel of Christ and the word of God. We cannot do this if we stay isolated. Growing as a Christian also means fellowship with others, especially those who need to hear God’s voice. Where there are communities and fellowship, God is present among them. As the Holy Scripture says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” – Matthew 18:20
Always practice goodness
‘God is good’ is a phrase we often hear. This is true simply because God is synonymous with goodness. And if we are to grow and journey with God, we must practice being good and doing well to everyone. Acts of kindness and love are steps closer to Christ and God. In practicing goodness, we are living the gospel of Christ and spreading the message of God. Building a meaningful and strong relationship with God must be anchored on doing well and loving others as you love God.
Overall, these steps are general guides for each of us to perform if we hope to be closer to God. May this article somehow showed a thing or two that will inspire you to reaffirm your spiritual growth journey with God.
The Damsel’s Files 