Growing Baby Chicks

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. COLOSSIANS 1:9-12 NIV 

Like most kids, she was full of questions – especially now that she was living on the ranch for a summer with her grandparents. Today, it was five in the morning, and Pop was headed to the barn where the brooder warmed his baby chicks. “What are you doing?” she wondered aloud as she watched his every move. 

“Tending to the chicks.” His simple reply only fueled her curiosity. 

“But why do you change their water and food every day?” she asked. 

“So that they don’t get sick, and they will grow healthy and strong.” 

On a roll now, she reflected, “But why do you want to grow baby chicks?” She followed at his heels as he replaced the tiny birds’ bedding and food. 

Turning toward her, he explained, “So that these little chicks will one day be healthy chickens who lay big eggs that we can eat for breakfast!” He smiled and tousled her hair. “So let’s go have some now!” 

The farmer shared his true motives. He wasn’t just interested in chicks; he had a bigger purpose in mind that fueled his daily actions. God does the same thing as He steps in to care for us. Daily He feeds us, cleans us, and creates the best environment we need, not only for this day but for His ultimate purpose for our lives: to grow us up in Christ to be reproducers for His kingdom—to know God and help others to know Him too. We work to please Him, live lives worthy of our purpose in Christ and grow in the knowledge of God and the strength of His power SO THAT we will have great endurance and patience—the two characteristics every Christian needs to persevere in the faith until we reach full maturity in Christ. 

Lord, thank You for working in me with great patience and intention. Let my life grow strong under Your care so that I, too, may model Your patience and perseverance as I mature in You and mentor others to do the same. In Jesus’s name. 

This is an excerpt from True Sweetness: Growing in the Fruits of the Spirit – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.