How’s Your Appetite?
Reflection
Growing up in a southern Baptist church in the heart of Southwest Atlanta, I was quickly immersed in its culture. Gospel music belted from the choir, hymnals of days gone by, services that run beyond two hours, politicians visiting in an election year - there were certain things one could always count on. In my early youth, there was only one thing on my mind on Sundays. It's not that my parents didn't feed me breakfast or find provisions to nourish me each Sunday morning depending on their level of involvement in the church; it's just-- one would be surprised at how many calories a child can burn whilst sitting in a church pew over the course of a what seemed to be a 3-hour service. Therefore, my favorite church tradition was Sunday dinner - after church.
Red Lobster was the most popular restaurant amongst my family (especially my grandfather), so we often found ourselves filled with cheddar biscuits and fried zucchini shortly after service. Year after year, as in any other family, I'd order from the same selections on the kid’s menu. Then, one day, Red Lobster added photos to the adult menu, and I took note of 'The Ultimate Feast.' I'd never seen all my favorite menu items in one package. I wanted it.
One Sunday afternoon, the server took orders around the table, ending with the kid’s orders. I looked around the table, then to the server, "I'll have the ultimate feast." My dad instinctively shouted, "Boy!" whilst the rest of the table waited for the real order to leave my lips. I hadn't considered a second order because I was set on the feast, but there was pressure to make a selection before the selection made me. As I started to speak, my grandfather spoke and said, "Let the boy have it." Surveying the facial expressions of my dad and the other adults at the table, I knew my grandfather had spoken, and that was the final word.
Shortly thereafter, the server retraced her steps around the table to make amendments to previous orders.
Application
Regardless of where one stands in the journey with Christ, we all hunger. He calls us to the well that never runs dry. God gives to each of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) according to their gifts, talents, abilities, and experiences. Starting with spiritual milk, we continue to grow in our relationship with Christ, becoming more like Him, each serving leaving us fuller than the last. Over time, one can mark the ways in which they have put off the old self and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22, 24). For some, this milk is sufficient to last until reconciled with Christ at the hour of death. For others, and as time goes on, they might find additional room in their spirit for more. Yearning, stretching, starving for new depths to a somehow fuller relationship with God takes root. As each generation needs teachers, leaders, and mentors to pass on and model the example Christ has set for us, God grants the spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:15). For these, God has called you beyond this portion of milk and onward to solid food.
What information had my grandfather accumulated about me over the course of the years sitting at the same dinner table for him to grant my request? Did he note how much of my food I ate at each meal? Did he notice I didn't engorge myself on far too many cheddar biscuits to be able to finish the meal that would sustain me? Perhaps he saw I had outgrown the kid's menu as I asked for a taste of the food from my parent's platters, and I did not waste what was given. That fateful day came, and concurrently and unknowingly, opportunity was met with preparation. Me – ready to ask. My Grandfather —ready to grant.
Jesus calls on each of us to come to Him as a child (Matthew 18:3). When we are obedient, we find ourselves able to let go and trust Him to love and feed us according to our needs and His plan for our lives. Along the way, He will reveal more, compelling us to go more deeply into a relationship with him. This requires maturity and the same childlike trust in Him. Though we might understand that there is more to learn, one cannot rush toward understanding. Don't let your eyes become bigger than your stomach.
It's amazing the impact of what occurs when the boldness of one who knows the desires of his heart aligns with the Father’s will. Once granted, it has a ripple effect. In my case, my request influenced the adults at the table (also his children) to make their request known to the father, and he granted it, too out of the abundance of his heart (and wallet). Though small in stature and rank within the family hierarchy, I finished my Ultimate Feast that day - full and satisfied.
Bonus Thought: There are days when we will get sick or fill up on the wrong things, but we always know we can go back to spiritual milk and work our way back to solid food. Let's assess ourselves and ensure we are working out the Holy Spirit in us each day. Build on each day, and if the moment arrives when we notice there's room left on the plate and have a desire to fill it with righteousness, ask God for more.
Yours in Christ,
Justin
