A Year of Growth

A new year is upon us. Often you will see a newspaper or television news story about the first baby born in the new year in a specific hospital or city. Often pictured are the parents holding their tiny and fragile newborn child. Both mom and dad are gleaming as they hold their baby close. As precious as that time may be, that young babe will not stay that size for long. 

Every young child is designed to grow. There are many different things that influence and can affect our proper growth.

•    We need food to sustain us. The nutrients found in food are what help our bodies grow and develop.

•    We need air to fill our lungs. The oxygen that we breathe in allows our cells to create cellular energy.

•   Proper hygiene helps prevent illness an infection from bacteria or viruses.

•   Our families are also a large part of growth and development. They spur us on to growth and encourage us when we are down.

•   We must exercise regularly to keep our bodies in shape.

•   Vitamins, supplements and medicine help keep sickness at bay to help keep us healthy.

•   We must also have dedicated times of rest so our body will have the opportunity to recover and recuperate when needed.

•   Our doctors keep us accountable for our physical health and help guide us.

•   We create budgets to spend our money in ways that are beneficial for us.

Those are some of the things that contribute to the growth of our physical bodies. Those same attributes also have a spiritual impact on our growth:

•   Just as food sustains us physically, the Word of God sustains us spiritually. (Matthew 4:4)

•   Just as we need to continually breathe air into our lungs, we must continually maintain an attitude and heart of prayer. 

     (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

•   Just as good hygiene keeps us healthy, the confession of our sins keeps our hearts clean. 

     (Psalm 32:1-6)

•   We need our families to grow and share. 

     Growth comes when we have dedicated 

     times with other believers as well. 

     (Philippians 2:1-4)

•   Physical exercise keeps our bodies in shape. Being the physical hands and feet of Jesus by acts of service to others helps keep us spiritually fit. (Ephesians 2:10)

•   Just as we take vitamins, supplements and medicine to keep sickness at bay, we must prepare and put up a defense against those things that tempt us. (1 Corinthians 10:13)