While reflecting on the book of Acts, I found myself comparing the apostles’ behavior to how they had been portrayed in the Gospels. The image that came to mind was that of losing their training wheels. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus points out just how much they don’t “get it.” Yet, once they receive the Holy Spirit, the training wheels come off. They are healing people and boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus – even at the risk of imprisonment and death. This is a very clear change from a group of men who were too afraid to even show up at Jesus’ crucifixion. This is also a great demonstration of why we need the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God is a God of transformation. Some changes happen quickly, others may take some time. But if you claim to be a follower of Christ, there should definitely be a time when you lose your training wheels as a result of being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
If bike riding isn’t your thing, there are similar analogies – going from pull-ups to big girl/boy underwear, going from a booster seat to a regular chair, going from baby food to solid food, etc. The bottom line is that there should be some evidence of growth in your faith walk. If you’re struggling in this area, I recommend finding a mentor or a small group that can disciple you and hold you accountable. As you are growing, don’t forget to pass on the favor and disciple someone else!