Taking Steps -- November 2009

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God and you have come to need milk and not solid food. – Hebrews 5:12

“Is he walking yet?”

That’s the question we’ve been asked most often since our little, sweet boy turned one. And now, I can answer “yes” with confidence. He’s gained more poise and assurance over the past months with each step he’s taken. Of course, there are bumps and bobbles along the way, but realizing the superiority of mobility he can have, he’d much rather walk than crawl now.

It wasn’t always this way. You see, his first steps began about eight weeks ago. One day, at 10 months of age, he let go of the side of the ottoman that he was holding onto and ventured out on two, stiff legs. Three steps later, he was on his bottom. The next day, he pulled himself up on one of the kitchen stools, gained his composure, looked unsurely at the path in front of him, and then cautiously set out to conquer new territory. Two, shaky steps later, his legs crumpled underneath him. Each time, I watched him look up into the eyes of His smiling father, brimming with pride and applauding his effort.

I noticed during those initial days and weeks that while he was now aware of his ability to get around on only two limbs, he often choose to crawl. The scrapes and bumps were frustrating him. In hopes of reaching some shiny trinket or getting his hands on a brightly colored toy as quickly as possible, he found that using the mode of transportation he was most familiar with was faster and more dependable. So, he’d calmly sit down, bend over on all fours and crawl. For him, walking was too much work to figure out and too hard to maintain. Taking steps took more concentration then he wanted to use, so he’d just revert to his more juvenile mechanism for movement.

It got him where he wanted to go—even got him there bobble free.

But crawling didn’t yield any applause from His daddy.

It used to when he’d first crawled, but now, Dad knew better.

The applause was reserved for walking.

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Crawling when it’s time for you to walk?

Hmmm!

It’s just easier sometimes isn’t it?

I can understand. Sometimes, growing up takes more work than we ever thought it would. Looking back, I’m sure you could mark the difficulties you faced when going from one level of maturity to another and how the development stretched you maybe a bit more than you wanted to give in to. Turns out, every new level of growth requires a new level of responsibility. Not just in your life but in your spirit as well.

The time has come my friend.

Get off all fours and walk.

Stop filling up on milk when there’s meat to be had.

Nothing’s wrong with crawling, just like there’s nothing wrong with a cool glass of milk. But, don’t let them be a replacement for the next phase in your journey.

You see, some spiritual ground can only be traversed by those willing to spiritually mature; those willing to tackle the “road-less-traveled,” and those willing to move beyond the “elementary principles of the oracles of God” in order to take on “solid food.”

Sure, in the stage of spiritual infancy there’s less bumping and bruising, and it may require less concentration on your part, but it will also yield fewer results. There are some places you can’t get to on all fours; some heights that can’t be reached; some crevices that can’t be maneuvered and ground that can not be covered when you refuse to stand on your own two feet. What’s worse, you may miss out on the applause and approval your Father’s eagerly waiting to give to you.

So, it’s time for us to grow up.

There’s a journey He’s ready to take us on, but it’s up to us to get off the floor, take Him by the hand, and go with Him.

Strap on your shoes.

Steady yourself.

Look both ways.

Now, let go.

Priscilla Shirer, Going Beyond Ministries