Measuring Growth

Growth is important! Whether it’s physical, spiritual, relational, or occupational, growth matters. When I was a young boy, my mom had a specific wall in our home with marks on it where she would measure my physical growth from year to year. It was the same drill before the beginning of every school year—a reminder that growth should be natural.

When new parents have an infant, they make regular visits to the pediatrician. There are always two measurements the doctor checks: height and weight. If the child is not growing proportionally, something is physically wrong.

In a similar way, the same is true spiritually for a Christian. Case in point:

Watching my friend, Los Angeles Angels scout Brandon McArthur, grow spiritually has been nothing short of encouraging and inspiring. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, I’ve had a front-row seat to Brandon’s intentional pursuit of spiritual growth in Christ. He has consistently placed himself in environments that challenge and stretch his faith, choosing to be where growth can take root and flourish.

His commitment to spending time in God’s Word, in fellowship with other believers, and in prayer is evident—not just in his discipline, but in the transformation of his character and conduct. Aiming for progress, not perfection, I’ve watched him move from the simplicity of spiritual “baby food” to the richness and depth of spiritual “solid food,” feeding on the truths of Scripture in a way that strengthens him for life’s challenges.

Brandon’s journey is a living testimony that growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens through a willing, intentional heart and a faithful God.

Listen closely: God uses an infinite number of vehicles to help you grow. There is no “one-stop shop” environment that leads to instant spiritual maturity. I’ve never met anyone who became spiritually mature overnight. It’s a painstaking process that God takes you through over years—sifting, sanding, shaping, and molding your character and conduct to look more and more like Him. Often, these times include waiting, failing, falling, losing, and being misunderstood—each one calling for extra doses of perseverance. Unsure if it’s all worth it?

Just ask Brandon.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.