Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Milk or Steak, what'll it be?

My son recieved his learner's liscence about 3 weeks ago. He's been itching to get behind the wheel of the car ever since. Unfortunately, for him (lucky for me?) it snowed quite a bit right after that and then we were just busy and couldn't take him out driving. And the first time out is with his Dad in a large empty lot. That's the rule according to his sister who has had her learner's for almost a year now. Because that is the way it was done with her. So now it's a rule. There is no way her brother can drive down a street without first enduring the parking lot training, because that just would not be fair now would it. So finally, on Sunday, the young man's Dad took him to the infamous parking lot. And then again yesterday.

As I got in the car last night to go to bible study, things just did not feel right. I could barely touch the pedal with my toes and the seat was ramrod straight. Adjustments had to be made. The other day when I got in the car not bothering to pause to think how the seats may be, I almost broke my knee caps off on the steering wheel and felt like the breath was being squeezed out of me as if a boa constrictor was squishing me. I then realized Basketball girl must have driven the car last. Her legs are shorter. So as I tried to get my hand past my winter coat, which was adding to the effect of being squished as it was taking up precious centimeters of space between the seat and steering wheel, I fought the feeling of panic. Panic at not being able to breathe and panic at the thought that someone would have to call the 911 crew and they would have to use the jaws of life to extract me from this embarrassing situation. I could see the headlines now: "Jaws of life used to extract Mother from vehicle. No accident to report. Daughter admits to leaving the car seat adjusted forward. No charges to be laid."

But as I finally was able to get the bar pulled up and the seat slid back, and as air filled my lungs again and oxygen got to my brain, I thought "Man, these kids have grown up." And while the thought is scarey, children do grow. No matter what we try to do to keep them little. If we feed them good food, they will grow. They start with the basic milk because that is what they're tummies can handle, and then slowly new, more solid food is introduced into their diet, till eventually they can pack away a bigger steak than their Dad. It's the way God created them. To grow.

It's like that with us as God's children also. When we are babes in Christ, newly come to Him, we are to desire the milk of God's Word.



"like newborn babies, long for the
pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to
salvation"
I Peter 2:2 NASB
But God desires us to to grow from that. Just as in our earthly lives we cannot forever just drink milk and remain babies, so it is with the spiritual. We must move past that point of only wanting the "milk" of the Word. Paul admonishes the Hebrews because they were not growing.
"We have much to say about this, but
it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by
this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary
truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the
teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by
constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from
evil."
Hebrews 5:11 - 14 NIV
As in the natural, in the things of God we need to grow. God does not expect us to remain babies forever, as I would not expect my children to remain babes. And as they grow in height, I also expect them to grow in maturity and in knowledge and wisdom. I don't want them in great big adult bodies and acting naive and immature like a 2 year old. How awful that would be! No with years being added onto their lives, a maturity and growth are expected.
And as we feed our babies in steps with food, so God feeds us with His Word. We are to know His word and desire to grow in it. 2 Timothy 2:15 in the Amplified Bible tells us:
"Study and be eager and do your utmost
to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no
cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing - rightly
handling and skilfully teaching - the Word of Truth"

Then when we are feeding on God's Word we will know how to discern when those things come along that are contrary to it and be mature. In this day and age with so many teachings and totally false doctrines, it is especially important to know God's Word for ourselves. We cannot go by "I feel". That is how young children are. What they feel is what dictates to them on how to react. But we as parents teach them to use wisdom as they grow not necessarily feelings. Feelings shift and change and are unreliable. Ask me when I'm in the middle of PMS if my emotions and feelings are reliable. But God's Word does not change. It is the same yesterday, today and forever.

To seek Him and know what He has said within His Word. That is our food. That is what will grow us into mature workman in God's kingdom. This is what I desire. This is my prayer. For me. For my children. For you.

23 comments:

Carol said...

Beautifully said! Thank you for blessing me with these words today. I needed them. Because I have one who is months away from the learner's permit. And I needed the warnings. ;-)

Linda said...

A wonderful analogy Susanne. I had to chuckle at the mental image of you squeezed into the driver's seat :) I found that when my kids were old enough to drive, I spent a lot more time praying for their safety. I guess we both were growing.

Barb said...

I love this analogy, too, Susanne. I agree with Linda that as our children grow, we continue to grow.

For me, it was the mirrors. All the mirrors. I was usually halfway to my destination before I realized I couldn't see anything on the side or behind me. What I loved most was how these kids who never wanted to help with anything were suddenly downright eager to run errands for you as long as it involved handing them the keys to the car. :-)

Kim said...

Wonderful words and analogy! I love the scriptures you quoted. We do need to grow to be ready for meat and substantial feedings. It reminds me of the book I am reading now...The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges. We must train like an athlete...pursuing godliness at all times by studying the Word,meditating on It,putting off sinfulness and putting on Christ-like thinking. Godliness must be pursued--although God does the work of sanctifying us,there is a human responsibilty involved.


I have one learning to drive,too!!! hang in there!

Kim

Anonymous said...

I dont like it when somoen else drives up and car and fiddle with how the seat is etc.pcsplt

Anonymous said...

oppps I could try that again couldnt I LOL

sori

I dont like it when someone else drives my car and fiddles with the seat setttings

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Yes,"If you feed them, they will grow!" Well, this is beautifully written. Love those verses. Thanks for applying them in a concrete way!

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

My oldest daughter has her permit and is starting driver's education. I am just now starting to get excited at the idea of her growing up. It has been hard for me to let this first child go. I think there may be a picture of my own life here with the Lord?? I haven't always wanted to grow up!

Beck said...

Beautiful! Kids DO grow - I don't know what I'll do when mine start driving.

Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said...

Wonderful post Susanne! :)

...I can't imagine the day when Jackson can drive! how terrifying! right now him riding his bike scares me to death. i am so scared he is going to get hit by a car!

PastormacsAnn said...

Wonderfully shared, Susanne. Thanks!

Life's Passionz said...

Hi, I just came across your blog and I love it.

It is so wonderful to see how beautiful your relationship with God is and how you express those feelings and emotions about your love for Christ so well.

You are an insiration!

Thank you,
Randi

Girl Raised in the South said...

They only grow up day by day, but we miss that and then we look up and they're not a kid anymore, but rather a young adult, and we wonder how on earth that happened. It's hard to let them grow up and go, yet that was the whole point when he gave them to us.

Janis Rodgers said...

A wonderful post, Susanne! We all need that food that God gives, don't we? I am not looking forward to my oldest driving a car...maybe I should just give him milk so he can't reach the pedals?LOL Blessings!

Shawna said...

It scares me to think my oldest is right behind yours. I am so not ready for him to grow up (until he starts acting immature!) Great post, Susanne!

Walls Down Church Kids said...

I'm laughing at the car analogy--my oldest got his license this past summer--I can relate! great posts!

Cheryl said...

First time visit...a very cute blog design...warm and gives a tone of "welcome"!

Good example...I know the feeling of getting in the car and wondering who has been driving!

God's Word transforms, reminds, encourages, challenges and renews...and as you said...grows us up from thumb sucking infants to meat devouring adults!

Lisa Spence said...

I think one of the biggest needs we face in Christianity today is being armed with the Truth of God's Word! You are so right, we MUST know it for ourselves. So many of us only know what has been told to us. May we instead live not by bread alone but on His living Word!

Anonymous said...

It's funny our Pastor preached on this on Sunday. It is so vital that we do move from milk to meat, and yet how often do we slip back into wanting to be nursed? Great post thanks Susanne.

Elle said...

You were days ahead of me in this post, but we're on the same tangent--learning how to discern when feelings should guide and when feelings are no guide at all! Great post--thanks!

Kari said...

Came over by way of Carol...Yes, this is an excellent post and analogy!

It has me thinking more on the flipside, too...which I don't think was your intent, but still...

I am wondering what the effect is on the newborn believer, no matter their age, when *we* (not the Holy Spirit...) begin to load them down with that solid food, big Thanksgiving plate-sized meals of solid food, when they are still craving milk.

Just wondering and pondering...no answers! Thanks for getting me thinking!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post and great analogy between your kids growing up and we are growing in His Word.
Thank you for sharing.

Blessings on your day and always.

Ms. Kathleen said...

Ha! My problem is just the opposite. My son is 5'11" and I am barely 5'4" so I never seem to reach the pedals!

This is a great post! Thanks bunches and congrats on your nomination. It is well deserved!