Late Spring

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2)

— Dan Wesol

There are different and progressive stages of growth in every form of life. For example, with human beings, a child is born about nine months after conception.

Solomon, as a wiser, older king, uses the pseudonym “the Preacher” instead of his official title, Solomon, King of Israel. He had the wisdom to recognize his many flaws and, as a preacher, humbly shares his experiences and observations to natural Israel and spiritual Israel.

In our banner scripture, King Solomon uses two seasons of the year as metaphors for the beginning and end of life. A “time to plant” is seed time, and corresponds to spring, while “a time to pluck up” is the time of harvest and corresponds to autumn.

Population Growth

The number of human babies born each year is significant. According to the Wolfram Alpha computational knowledge engine, about 140 million babies are born worldwide yearly. That computes to 372,960 per day, 15,540 every hour, 259 each minute, and approximately four babies each second. Enough babies are born daily to fill four sports stadiums, each seating 93,240 people.

At the same time, the average worldwide death rate is less than half the birth rate. Approximately 59.3 million people die each year, 155,520 deaths per day, 6,480 per hour, 108 per minute, or almost two people die every single second. Enough people die each day to fill one and a half sports stadiums seating 100,000 people.

Since you began reading this article, some 389 babies have been born, “a time to laugh” and “a time to dance,” but at the same time, about 162 people have died, “a time to weep” and “a time to mourn.” God has designed it so there is more than twice as much joy from the life entering this world than the sorrow from the life leaving the world.

Life’s Brevity

These numbers provide some perspective when considering the scriptures, which indicate that “time is short” (1 Corinthians 7:29). Jesus confirmed this when he said, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4, NASU).

These sobering words suggest that we grasp each opportunity God gives us to share the good news of His love, appreciate the privilege of following Jesus, and understand the opportunity of living at the dawning of God’s kingdom, which will bless all the families of the earth.

The Apostle James expresses life’s brevity this way, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14, NASU). Realizing that our lives are but a vapor should help us treasure each moment and use our time wisely.

Our Time

Consider our sixteen waking hours each day: our employer generally requires eight hours, and two for household activities. That leaves only six hours of discretionary time each day, although those who are retired may enjoy more. However, for those who have children or who care for elderly parents, grandparents, or an ailing spouse, there may be much less discretionary time.

Whether employed or retired, married or single, taking care of children or other family members, some of our discretionary time is also required to nourish our bodies. Ultimately, God gives us the freedom and responsibility to choose how we use our valuable time. As we grow and experience each season of life, the way we use time may change. Our outlook may also change. Who we are changes, and that is by design. For example, a five year old mind in a six foot five, 300 pound frame could be dangerous to himself and those around him.

There are spiritual lessons to be gleaned from the early springtime of life, when we are spiritual babies.

In early spring, the air temperature begins to warm, and new growth emerges from the sleep of winter. When a baby is born, it is a helpless creature. It cannot walk or talk; its eyes can only focus on objects eight to fifteen inches away. The baby’s neck muscles are not yet strong enough to support its head, and it depends on its parents for life. A baby must be regularly fed, bathed, and clothed.

A baby comes into the world with 100 billion brain cells, but the connections between those cells, called synapses, are not yet complete. As the child grows, the connections are made, and development occurs.

The Psalmist aptly states, “children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASU).

Laughing

Babies seem to enjoy laughing. Simply smiling at a baby can make it laugh. One cannot help but laugh when hearing a baby’s laughter. This interaction brings so much joy, and both are easily amused. No matter how badly our day seems, we smile when faced with a baby’s laughter. This is one of God’s great gifts through our children.

For the newly consecrated spirit begotten saints, there is an overwhelming joy as they feel God leading them by His Spirit. They have set their minds (their affections) on things above and not on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2). They embrace the Apostle Paul’s guidance, “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Infants in Christ understand the unmerited favor — the grace of God showered upon them. They are shown in the type of Isaac, the miracle child, the promised seed of Abraham and Sarah. In Sarah’s case, she laughed in unbelief when she heard the angel say she would have a child at the age of 90. But her laughter of unbelief turned into laughter filled with faith when she gave birth to her son. At that moment, she had the joy of the LORD overflowing in her heart, when she said, “God hath made me to laugh. Every one that heareth will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). She held in her hands a miracle child, her gift from the LORD, and as God said, she named him Isaac meaning laughter.

A New Creation

When a child is born, the parents love the new baby God gave them. Its development is now their responsibility. Even so, when a believer in Christ consecrates their all to God, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, then God begets that believer with His holy Spirit (1 John 4:13). The Apostle Paul states, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASU).

Our Heavenly Father is our life giver, and prayer is our lifeline. Jesus states that the “Father himself loves” us (John 16:27). The Apostle Paul reassures us, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Only through His provision of Jesus is the begettal of the holy Spirit made available to believers in Christ, and thereby, we become God’s children. (1 Peter 1:3).

Jesus encourages us, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 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 15:4 5, NASU).

Through the merit of Christ’s sacrifice, we can walk in this new and living way, according to the spirit and not according to the flesh. (John 1:12; Hebrews 10:20; Romans 8:1-17).

The Apostle Peter compares newly consecrated saints in Christ to newborn babies and the Word of God to pure milk. “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:1 2, NASU).

It appears that the Apostle Peter observed a few new Christians struggling to remove the sin, sicknesses, and corruption of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander from their hearts and minds. Peter’s prescription for them was to fill their hearts and minds with the pure Word of God.

Mother’s milk is highly nourishing for a baby, particularly for the baby’s developing brain. It is sweet and fills the baby’s stomach. Therefore, whenever the baby hungers, it strongly desires its mother’s milk! This natural process accelerates growth.

Even so, the foundation principles of Christ’s teachings are spiritually nourishing to new saints in Christ and necessary for the New Creature’s growth. Spiritually feeding on the Word becomes a joy!

The Apostle Paul says, “everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe” (Hebrews 5:13, NASB).

Learning

Just as babies must learn to crawl before they can walk, new creatures require time to become familiar with and practice the truths in the foundation principles of Christ. Some of these principles include:

● Love God, your brothers and sisters in Christ, your neighbor, even your enemies.
● The Son of Man came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them.
● Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.
● Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
● Watch and pray.
● Recognition of sin and the need to turn to God and righteousness.
● Love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity.
● Jesus came in the flesh and is the son of the Living God (John 1:14; Matthew 16:16).
● Jesus died a ransom for all on the cross: for our sins and the sins of the whole world.
● God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day.
● Baptism is a symbol of our consecration unto death to God.
● Death is the absence of life. “There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
● There will be a resurrection of Christ’s church, a little flock, to the divine nature in heaven and the world of mankind to the human nature on earth (with the opportunity to live forever).
● All the world will come to know God in Christ’s Kingdom, for “the knowledge of the LORD will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).

An article titled “Discipline for Different Ages,” from Australia’s “Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service,” states that “discipline” is about teaching and learning. It advises parents to “think about the best way to achieve this, given your child’s age, understanding their needs.” This type of discipline is what our Father in heaven does for each of us. He designs our life experiences for our best spiritual development. Consider these wise words, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its own purpose” (Proverbs 16:34, NASU). Additionally, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

When a disciple asked Jesus to teach them to pray, Jesus provided a model prayer. Later, in their presence, Jesus prayed to his Heavenly Father, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well pleasing in Your sight” (Matthew 11:25 26).

Touch is essential in the development of a newborn so a baby must be regularly held and comforted. For babies up to one year old, a parent’s gentleness, loving touches, and words are as important to their growth as feeding and clothing them. Through these loving interactions, babies learn that they are protected. They learn to trust their parents.

Similarly, God develops trust and faith in every new creature in Christ as He answers their prayers and reveals His gentle providence. Jesus also gently instructs us, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29, NASU).

From the age of 1 to 3 years old, children are full of life and curiosity. They learn through touch and trying new things. This growth activity often means making dirty messes or misusing things. Babies want to do things their way and frequently say an emphatic “no,” as they learn to become separate individuals. Babies are often frustrated when they want to do more than they are able to do! This may sound familiar to parents with young children, but it can also apply on a spiritual level.

Learning by Mistake

In teaching a young child, a wise parent will show the child new skills with patience and praise. An outstanding example of this is described in a story found in the 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

This story concerns a famous research scientist who made several significant medical breakthroughs. A newspaper reporter interviewed him and asked him why he thought he was able to be so much more creative than the average person. What set him so far apart from others?

He responded that, in his opinion, it all came from an experience with his mother that occurred when he was about two years old. He had been trying to remove a milk bottle from the refrigerator when he lost his grip on the slippery bottle and it fell, spilling its contents all over the kitchen floor — a veritable sea of milk!

When his mother came into the kitchen, instead of yelling at him, giving him a lecture, or punishing him, she said, “Robert, what a great and wonderful mess you have made! I have rarely seen such a huge puddle of milk. Well, the damage has already been done. Would you like to get down and play in the milk for a few minutes before we clean it up?”

Indeed, he did. After a few minutes, his mother said, “You know, Robert, whenever you make a mess like this, eventually you have to clean it up and restore everything to its proper order. So, how would you like to do that? We could use a sponge, a towel, or a mop. Which do you prefer?” He chose the sponge, and together they cleaned up the spilled milk. His mother said, “You know, what we have here is a failed experiment in effectively carrying a big milk bottle with two tiny hands. Let’s go out in the back yard and fill the bottle with water and see if you can discover a way to carry it without dropping it.” The little boy learned that if he grasped the bottle at the top near the lip with both hands, he could carry it without dropping it. What a wonderful lesson!

This renowned scientist then remarked that it was at that moment that he knew he did not need to be afraid to make mistakes. Instead, he learned that mistakes were just opportunities for learning something new, which is, after all, what scientific experiments are all about. Even if the experiment “doesn’t work,” we usually learn something valuable from it.

What an excellent lesson for a child, but an even greater lesson for the long term effectiveness of parents showing patience in their children’s lives! For the child of God, “If we confess our sins, (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NASU).

Learning Lessons

John goes on to affirm that he is “writing these things to [us] so that [we] may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:1, NASU).

Parents are to “Keep it simple — one ‘new’ lesson at a time” when teaching young children. This is sound advice for anyone attempting to teach or learn a new skill, particularly for new creatures in Christ who learn lessons as God develops a Christ like character.

Parents pick up their children and lift them to safety when in danger. In the case of spiritual babes in Christ, the Adversary, as a roaring lion, may see these newly consecrated saints as especially vulnerable.

Though all the sheep (even veteran Christian soldiers) are seen as prey, we must do our best to avoid anger. While the Adversary plays upon our fears, the Apostle Peter encourages us to “humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert” (1 Peter 5:6-8, NASU).

When children of God finds themselves in danger, they must use prayer as a lifeline. Our Heavenly Father is ready to lift all to safety. It is up to the more mature saints to provide help as well. Jesus admonishes all of us, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).

Conclusion

When considering this first season of a spiritual life, a time that features the early development of the new creature, let us appreciate the miracle of life, especially the life of the new creature that God has begun. Let us celebrate the nurturing of His spiritual babes in Christ.
● Let us build upon and rejoice in the foundational truths of the Holy Scriptures.
● Let us use our time to glorify God.
● Let us exercise child like faith and trust in God.
● Let us learn from our mistakes and remember to laugh and share the joy of the LORD.
● When God uses discipline, let us consider it His training to develop righteous character in His children.
● Let us continue to ask questions and to study the scriptures.

Any faithful child of God can be used by Him, even at a young age. No child of God is useless who lightens the burden of another.