When I consider my little boy's growth over the last 18 months of his life outside the womb and the preceding 9 months in the womb, the words of a song by the late Rich Mullins comes to mind. We are frail, we are fearfully and wonderfully made, forged in the fires of human passion. Skyler's conception happened in a moment of passion between two people in a marital covenant with one another. But while his conception happened in a moment, his formation happened over nine months and is still taking place today. What is true biologically is also true spiritually.
Spiritual conception can happen in a moment, but spiritual formation happens over time.
In only a moment one can be conceived in Christ. Click book for more information. We are conceived in Christ. But as it took time for Skyler to be formed once he was conceived, so it takes time for us to be formed into the image of Christ once we are conceived in Christ. For all of us who are weighted down under an anvil of discouragment over the slow growth in our spiritual lives, marriages, or relationships, it may be time to exchange our stopwatches for some calendars.