"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity" (Hebrews 5:13-6:1b).

Babies live on milk; it's the way they are created, the natural way of things. However, they are not created to remain that way. I watch these days as my granddaughter Penni begins to make the transition. If she has only milk, she is satisfied for a while, but soon becomes cranky. A little fruit can make a huge difference in her mood, because she is being filled. If she has only milk, she doesn't sleep through the night. A little cereal and she can rest well, because she is being satisfied. And with this she is growing, maturing, becoming what God created her to be.

Just as a baby's system can not handle solid food until he has matured and become gradually accustomed, so the spiritual infant can not even distinguish good from evil. Spiritually, we must begin with the milk--the very basics--our sinful state and our need of a savior, and the Christ who came to die for the forgiveness of our sins. On that we feed until the day comes when our spirits crave more, and then we seek the deeper things of God. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned as a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (I Corinthians 13:11-12). When we seek the deeper things of God, He is ready to fill us. Only then can we become all we were created to be.

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13); "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

It's time to grow up.

Heavenly Father, feed me as You would have me eat. Fill me with Your righteousness. Amen