My grandson, Thomas, is nearly nine months old and when he is ready for his meals, he folds his hands together, almost like a clap, signaling that it’s time to ask a blessing as we do before each meal. He has already learned this routine and he’s starting to bow his head as he sees us do. He doesn’t yet understand the significance of this habit or these words, but one day he will learn that our food and every other need are met by God alone. His usual blessing with me or his momma is “thank you, Jesus, for my food. I love you, Jesus. Amen.” If his daddy asks the blessing, it is “God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.”
He is still an infant so it is important for him to eat appropriate foods. His parents are introducing new fruits and vegetables, along with a little meat and milk everyday. He’s tried small bites of very soft foods like avocado and banana but his two bottom teeth aren’t ready for much more just yet. When he returns to his pediatrician next week, his parents will get a report on how he’s progressing and also what to look forward to in the coming months. He is growing and changing so quickly each day and he will be expected to reach or surpass certain milestones throughout his life.
Paul says that in our faith walk, there are certain expectations that characterize growth. Just as a newborn outgrows nursing or being bottle fed and develops a healthy appetite, so a Christian who is alive in Christ and growing in the Spirit will experience lack of nourishment and contentment with a simple diet and begin to crave heavier, more filling spiritual food.
What would happen if Thomas continued eating baby food in childlike portions his entire life? He would show signs of malnutrition pretty quickly. Likewise, if we persist on a meager diet of God’s word, only consuming what we hear from someone else and never looking into the perfect word that gives life, we may become self-satisfied and stop seeking His face to our own detriment. When I’m not feeling well and have no desire to eat, I recognize I’m getting better simply by my returning appetite. Paul points to jealousy and quarreling as early signs of spiritual malnutrition.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people.
I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were (still) infants in Christ.
I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger.
And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature.
You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature?
Aren’t you living like people of the world?
When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?
After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News.
Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering.
What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder.
Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:1-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.3.2-11.NLT
In order to grow up into the full stature of Christ, our perfect example and the One who makes all things possible, I must be certain I am getting an adequate quantity and quality of spiritual food for my heart, mind, soul and spirit. I don’t just listen to God’s word, I look intently into it and do what it says. Obedience in small things leads to obedience in all things.
By all means, attend worship and hear the Word proclaimed regularly, just don’t stop there. I am on vacation this weekend and out of town but my family will live-stream our church service and worship together until we return next week. I will continue to pray before meals, thanking God for His provision of food and I will pray at all times, bringing my need to God and making intercession for the needs of others as I become aware. I will read my Bible daily, both reading through the entirety of scripture each year and studying passages in-depth. I will mediate on God’s Word and hide it in my heart.
These habits, or disciplines, ensure spiritual growth in the same way a healthy diet and exercise do for my body. I do my part and rely on God for everything else. My grandson is learning to do what I do by rote. I pray that in God’s perfect timing, he will come to know Jesus as personal Lord and Savior and his actions will be led by God’s Spirit.
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Ephesians 3:14-17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.3.15-17.NLT
If you do not know Jesus, God’s one and only Son, as personal Savior and Lord, then this is my prayer for you too. John 1:12 shows the way.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
John 1:12-13 NLT
A Fitting Reply 
Love the title, outstanding devotion, thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people