Milk or Meat
Today’s scripture selection: First Corinthians 3-4
Key verses: First Corinthians 3:1-2
If you are of a certain age you may remember a popular television commercial from the mid-eighties featuring a disgruntled little old lady. Confronted by a miniscule hamburger on a “big fluffy bun” at a fast food restaurant, she explains to her friends, “WHERE’S THE BEEF?”
That complaint resonated with a lot of us who were fed up (no pun intended) with paying big prices for little substance.
But it also became a way for people to express their frustration about people who lack the ability to deal with “meaty” subjects in mature ways. The apostle Paul would have understood completely.
Writing to some fellow Christians he complained about how he “could not address (them) as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ.” He said he had to give them “milk, not solid food” because they were simply not ready for it.
And so, he had to patiently, and sometimes not so patiently help them “grow up” in their faith – so that they could live life as spiritually mature people.
We can sometimes fall into the same trap. We become obsessed with small issues, and fail to see the big picture. We worry over petty hurts or insignificant conflicts. We lose our focus, or become self-absorbed. In short, we are spiritually childish.
The scripture reminds us that God calls us to more – much more – than that.
We are called to be spiritual warriors for Christ; to be the salt and light of the world; to find the lost and help give them hope. We are to reach out to the poor; confront the world’s greatest problems; be instruments of God’s peace. We have critically important work to do for the kingdom. “Where’s the beef?” It’s found in God’s word and in God’s work.
Are you up to feasting on it today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Almighty God, help me to grow up to the great purposes you have in mind for me. AMEN.
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 