Day Fifty-two

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use
have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:14)

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:11–14

Nothing is more appropriate for an infant than milk. Often we overwhelm infants in Christ by shoving them down the cafeteria line while they are still trying to digest a carton of milk. Today’s text in no way rushes the babe in Christ. The writer referred to the opposite problem. Many believers who years ago received Christ are still eating Cheerios and choosing to stay in nursery school.

To imagine why Christians remain infants isn’t so difficult. When I was little, I hated promotion Sunday at church. I was comfortable in my class. I understood the schedule. I was accustomed to my teacher. I liked the cookies and the other kids in my class. I never liked promoting to the next grade—but no one gave me a choice.

Once a beloved teacher explained promotion to a room of quivering-lipped kindergartners. She said: “I used to feel just like you. I never wanted to leave my teacher or my classroom. Then I thought how silly I would look one day all grown-up in one of these little bitty chairs.” She was a beautifully round little lady who, to make the children laugh, squatted down on one of the tiny chairs. The legs gave way as she toppled to the floor. It worked. They laughed and the fear dissipated.

The Hebrews writer described a similar scene. Believers who should have been ready to lead, train others, and assume the responsibilities of mature Christians were still squeezing their considerable weight into nursery-school chairs.

Our churches are experiencing a leadership crisis though our membership roles are full. Many of us reached our comfort level long ago and refuse to move on. “Enough,” we say to ourselves, “No sense in being eaten up with this thing.” No one forces us to promote to the next level in Christianity. We can stay in those chairs and complain about the lack of qualified leadership, or we can confess our reluctance to move toward maturity and accept the challenge of promotions for the rest of our lives.

As I think back on childhood days in Sunday School, I feel pretty old. Yet I’d never go back even if I could. Life was easier then—but it certainly wasn’t better. Less responsibility—but no clue about fulfillment. I like my life much better as a grown-up.

Sometimes we have to let a little cooperation displace some comfort. How can you and I prepare ourselves for promotions? By training ourselves through the constant use of God’s Word. It’s an amazing book, isn’t it? A primer for the babe in Christ. A dictionary to the adolescent. A world book to the scholar. Milk for some. Meat for others. That’s your textbook—and your ticket to the next level.

Is it time to move on? How long has it been since you were stretched and challenged and forced out of your routine? Perhaps it’s time to promote.