In watching my son attempt something new tonight, The Holy spirit reminded me of a truth that I needed to hear. While this may be an unorthodox analogy, and to some, let's just say gross, stay with me here.
Tonight at Dinner Liam announced that he wanted to eat his corn ON the cob. Well he didn't actually say those words, it was more like, "No, mommy! This!" as he reached for my corn. His striving to be a big boy, to grow and mature, to be like the adults, has brought him to the conclusion that he needs to do this. Oma handed him half of her corn to give it a try. Liam took a big bite, he successfully pulled off a mouthful of corn. It was buttery and sweet, but Liam soon discovered an unpleasant side effect from eating corn on the cob. It gets in your teeth! Liam picked and poked at his teeth but being his first cob experience wasn't adept in teeth picking just yet. With a concerned look he sucked on his finger, showing all at the table the corn in his two front teeth. "That's okay, keep going." Pops told him, "It'll come out if you keep eating." On a practical side note, if you have corn on the cob in your meal you should eat it first, the corn pulp in your teeth will un-lodge it self as you eat.
Just like Liam we want to grow up, be a big boy, and mature. In wanting to be like our heavenly Father, our walk will inevitably lead us to want to grow, mature, eat the proverbial spiritual meat. Or should I say, the proverbial spiritual corn ON the cob? It's gonna be good. It's gonna be sweet and buttery. But life if full of pulp, that annoying stuff that is stuck in your teeth. You pick and you poke, you run your tongue over it, you drink some of your water, and you even ask someone to give you a tooth pick, but it still won't budge. It is uncomfortable. It is part of living for Christ in a fallen world. It may be something the Lord is asking you to do for Him, to advance his gospel. It may be a certain sin the Lord is calling your to give up, and give over to him. It may be giving up what your colleagues or friends think of you so that you can share Christ. Trying new things in your spiritual life, may cause discomfort. But what good is trying something new if you are just going to stop when it gets uncomfortable? If you stop you won't have experienced it fully. If you started the meal the Lord has cooked up for you with the resolute decision to eat it as he did,
then why not continue as He would.
In Philippians, Paul tells the church in Philippi that they should continue in their faith, even though they were facing some serious corn pulp in their teeth. By pushing through all of that, they stand out from the rest of the people who cut the corn off the cob, just to get by. Paul and the Philippians
got to taste the juicy, sweet, buttery, goodness of our Lord.
Here is how Paul put it:
Philippians 2:12-18: 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life-- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
The Lord may call us to do some uncomfortable things in our walk with him. Keep eating, keep being obedient, push past the un-comfort, to taste the incredible sweetness of our Lord Jesus. Watch how he'll spread your eating habits to those around you.
Other who see you taking a big bit of his Goodness and want to enjoy Him too.
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Be Like Christ
Matthew 5:46 - 6:1 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Romans 12:2 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Take a Big Bite
2 Peter 3:18 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
In Life... things get stuck in your teeth
1 Peter 3:14-22 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Take another big bite
1 John 2:28 28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
MMMMMM! That's so good!
Nehemiah 9:25 25 They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.
Psalm 84:11 - 85:1 1 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
