Playing Grown-up

By Cheri Cowell –

I remember laughter-filled days playing grown-up with my sister under a tree in the front yard or in a make-believe schoolhouse in our bedroom. With just a sheet or a cardboard box we turned any cozy spot into an imaginary scene of what we thought our world would be like as adults. In our game we took turns being the grown-up, which, of course, was the prized role in our drama. Sometimes the interpretation of that role caused arguments our mother needed to referee.

I’m sure all of us have played some form of this childhood game whether it was dress-up, cowboys and Indians, or tea party with our stuffed animals as guests. Still, many of us know adults who have never grown up. If we have to admit it, sometimes our own behavior would not qualify as very grown up. So, how do we know when we have reached the goal of finally growing up? The writer of Hebrews has a few suggestions in today’s passage.

The Jewish Christians were beginning to question whether following Christ was worth the persecution they received. The Hebrew’s author answered their questions by defining maturity. He told them mature Christians eat the solid food of the Word of God, not just the baby milk or easy stuff. He challenged the Jews who were looking for an easier way, one with fewer restraints, to continue to taste of the Holy Spirit. And like our childhood play repeated over and over, through repetition of godly principles the Hebrews (and you and I) could learn to distinguish good from evil.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me become a more mature Christian, able to eat the meat and potatoes of Your Word. I am hungry for that solid food. I’m willing to hear the things that may be difficult but which will allow me to grow up in You.

“There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong” (Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT).

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. Her first book, Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, is called a biblically grounded no-nonsense approach to decision-making. To order your copy or to learn more about Cheri, visit her website www.CheriCowell.com