Babies...

Made you sit up a bit straighter in your seat on that one, didn't I?!  Ha!  It is nothing like you think.  It was actually the focus of yesterday's sermon at church.  Well, somewhat--our church is studying 1 Corinthians right now and so it was building off of that. 

Actually the focus was on how that too often we're "babies" in our faith walk.  Our pastor did a pretty good job breaking it down.  Think about it.

Babies are selfish.

They are consumers (and not producers).

They are demanding.

They are self-centered.

They are messy.

The list could go on and on.  And, at first glance, it is easy to think that we are nothing like babies.  I mean, come one!  But then that little voice, the Holy Spirit, starts to niggle and point out some not so pleasant truths.

Like how I like to do what I want, when I want it, in the way that I want it done.  Now I certainly don't throw myself down on the floor and pound my fists (how very undignified), but when I really think about it, I do walk around in a huff and make sure that those around me know I'm unhappy, simply by my actions and the words that I say, or more precisely, those words that I don't say. 

And then there is the thought that just happens to pass through my mind every now and again, how I can attend bible studies and go to church and enjoy the praise music and drink in the message...but how am I really giving back?  Am I just take, take, taking without giving anything in return?

All of a sudden the dignified, mature me starts to dissolve and what is really left is a big spiritual baby.  It's a pretty sobering thought.

As I reflect even more, I start to think about how babies have throwing temper tantrums down to a science.  Now I have to say, I have quite a bit of experience dealing with 'temper tantrums'.  Some days, it seems that I go from dealing with one student's temper tantrum to another.  Then I leave and just occasionally, I get to deal with it on the home front.  I tell my students the same thing that I tell the Noodle--"it doesn't matter if you throw a fit, you still have to do XYZ" or "you never get what you want when you throw a temper tantrum".  Such wise words...until the Lord turns his spotlight on an area in my life where He is asking me to change or to be obedient to Him.  I may drag my feet, give all kinds of excuses, whine, complain and cry, but at the end of the day, He is still telling me the same thing that I tell my students.  Makes me squirm a bit.

Guess it is time for me to stretch a bit and grow up.