We Are Allowed to Crawl

 

I've had the distinct pleasure of watching a number of babies crawl. Each does it in their own way, finding the best way to move about to reach their goals. I was reminded of that in a recent book where a spina bifida child asks

"Are people allowed to crawl in this house?"

"If they prefer, yes," I answered.

That made me stop and think how we press people to do what we think is best, whether it really is or not. Why shouldn't a handicapped child crawl in freedom instead of safely ensconced in wheelchair? I don't have an answer for that at all, but I do believe people often need to crawl before their next step.

And, I believe that is applicable in Christian growth, too.

There is a lot Christians are called to do. I mentioned the two greatest commandments yesterday. I do use them a lot. They are among the most important, not just my favorites. Here's a reminder, if you didn't read yesterday's blog:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Did you get that part "ALL the law and the prophets." Based on that, I'm assuming this is of utmost importance. In fact, if we don't do both of these, we've definitely broken God's commandments. 

Also yesterday I mentioned there might be an unlovable person. A new Christian might find this an insurmountable obstacle, right? I believe we all know a person we do not under any circumstances want in our lives. Yet we are supposed to love them? We may be crawling awhile getting that done.

Babies are also fed milk before they are ready for meat. That makes a great analogy, and we need to understand that time may take longer than we would like, and there's a time to move from milk to meat:

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 KJV)

Do read the rest of this chapter where Paul defines why growth is needed. When we evidently remain mere babes in learning about Christ, have only some of the first principles, we need to continue to mature. We need not be proud of our wisdom and knowledge when there is so much more to not only learn but apply in our lives.

It is our own failing, and we need reminding, when we do not improve as Christians. When we do not keep either one of those two greatest commandments.

Which brings me to the situation that did come to mind - a long time Christian who expects a new Christian to walk and eat meat when there is still a need to crawl and drink in all the newness of accepting Jesus for what He is - God's gift to mankind:

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:1-3 KJV)

It's easier to slip when we are less mature, or when we become complacent. We always need to give heed to what we have heard, and pass them along to those who are still learning. Remember, we always have something to learn!! If you don't think so, go back and read some of the books of the Bible you haven't been spending time reading. Pray for God to show you something new in what we considered old.

We need to keep that first faith, where we understand the future holds so much more. The Bible puts it this way:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

For new Christians, that faith gave them cause to step out publiclyy and tell people: "I believe in Jesus!" Their hope is placed in pleasing God:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

Let's apply our own due diligence and enjoy those who are on the same path we are, they just joined at a different time. That applies for the new Christian as it does for the mature Christian.  Our goals are the same even if our experiences vary widely.

Yes, Christians are allowed to crawl in God's house.