When we first become Christians we are in a progressive stage of development. We’re not exactly sure what we are supposed to be doing but we know we are supposed to be doing something and we are eager to find out what it is. We are changing, unfolding, evolving and forming in His name. Something is taking place inside of us — we know it, we can see it, we can feel it, and we start to experience growth.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Growth is a stage in the process of growing; progressive development; an abnormal proliferation of tissue.” Let’s break down “abnormal proliferation” and see how it applies to us as Christians.

Abnormal means to deviate from the normal or average. There is nothing normal or average about Christ so you know there’s going to be nothing normal or average about the ones who are following him. We shouldn’t talk like everyone else. We shouldn’t do things the same way as everyone else. It doesn’t mean that we are perfect because we will still make mistakes, but it should mean that we are trying — trying to be better, trying to live for the Lord, trying to not just tell people with our mouths that we are living for Christ but to show them with our own actions.

Proliferation means to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds or offspring. We are empty vessels when we first come to Christ but when that proliferation kicks in, change begins to take place. It’s like going to the gym and working out. You go in there with your big old sweatsuit, weak and tired and barely knowing what machines to get on, let alone how to use them. It’s hard to keep going but you press on because you have goals and you know the only way you can reach them is to push through so you stick with it. Little by little you start to see the change. Where there was weakness, there is now strength. Where you were once tired, you now feel revitalized. You are reaping your reward because that proliferation has kicked in. That’s the same way we feel when it comes to Christ. We will reap rewards. All we have to do is continue to move forward.

2 Peter 1: 3 – 8 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” Be blessed in Jesus’ name.

Mary Simmons can be reached at Marysimmons6@hotmail.com.