The Role of Time in Spiritual Growth
Reflections on Chapter 2 of The Green Letters by Miles J. Stanford
In The Green Letters, Miles J. Stanford eloquently underscores a truth often overlooked in our fast-paced culture: God does not hurry. His work in our lives is deliberate, spanning time and eternity. Chapter 2, “Time,” invites us to rest in this divine process and embrace the gradual, profound transformation that marks true spiritual growth.
1. God’s Eternal Perspective
Stanford begins by reminding us that God operates from and for eternity. Our impatience for quick results and rapid spiritual progress often blinds us to the reality that healthy, lasting growth takes time.
As Stanford observes, new believers often experience a fast-paced period of growth, but God intentionally slows this pace. This is not backsliding; rather, it is God refining and deepening our faith.
John Darby illustrates this principle through Moses and Paul. Both began their ministries with zeal, only to face periods of being set aside to learn dependence on God. These seasons of waiting were essential for their ultimate effectiveness.
God’s methods are patient and purposeful. As Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
2. Growth Requires Time
Stanford emphasizes that spiritual growth is a gradual process rooted in the principle of growth, not struggle or fleeting experiences.
A.H. Strong’s analogy of the oak tree versus the squash illustrates this beautifully. While a squash grows quickly and fades just as fast, an oak tree takes decades to mature, resulting in enduring strength and stability. Similarly, spiritual growth involves both rapid seasons of progress and slower times of consolidation.
Growth is not uniform. Some seasons may seem inactive, but these times are critical for solidifying our foundation in Christ.
3. The Danger of Shortcuts
Impatience can tempt us to seek shortcuts through emotional experiences or superficial blessings.
Stanford warns that relying on experiences alone leads to instability. As George Goodman states, “Fruit ripens slowly; days of sunshine and days of storm each add their share.”
True spiritual maturity comes through a combination of joy and sorrow, success and failure, activity and stillness. These varied experiences shape us into Christ’s likeness over time.
4. The Value of Trials
Trials are not obstacles but opportunities in God’s development process.
James McConkey writes, “Faith is dependence upon God. And this God-dependence only begins when self-dependence ends.” Trials strip away our self-reliance, teaching us to rest in God’s sufficiency.
As Austin-Sparks explains, God uses trials to expand our spiritual capacity. Just as the Israelites possessed the Promised Land little by little (Exodus 23:29–30), so we grow gradually into the fullness of Christ.
5. Living with Eternity in View
Stanford urges us to settle our hearts on God’s eternal perspective.
Graham Scroggie captures this truth: “Spiritual renewal is a gradual process. All growth is progressive…first the blade, then the ear, and after that, the full corn in the ear.”
This long-term view frees us from the frustration of unmet expectations and aligns us with God’s timeline.
Today, we can place our hands on the plow, trusting God to bring about His purposes in His perfect timing (Philippians 3:12, 14).
Conclusion: Resting in the Process
In a world driven by instant gratification, Stanford’s reflections in The Green Letters are a refreshing reminder of the beauty and necessity of waiting on God. Spiritual growth, like all growth, takes time. There are no shortcuts, but there is immense joy and peace in trusting the One who is faithful to complete what He has started.
As we navigate the seasons of life—whether filled with sunshine or storms—we can rest in the knowledge that God is using each moment to conform us to the image of His Son. Let us, like the oak tree, embrace the slow but steady work of God, knowing that the fruit it bears will endure for eternity.