Time to Bloomনমুনা

Settling for Less

Sometimes, time passes, and we see brothers and sisters who have become complacent—they either think they’ve learned everything or they lost their desire to learn somewhere along the way. Paul says these people are like children in their thinking.

Imagine a room full of precious jewels where several people are gathered. Some are standing in a corner, just watching the scene. Others have a single gem in their hand, simply enjoying its beauty. Then there are those who are exploring the room, trying to grab as many as they can. And finally, I see others carefully looking for the gems, enjoying each one and owning them, and then leaving to share them with others.

It seems we find all these types in the Lord's vineyard. We have the spectators who come and go on Sunday but are content just to watch from the outside. We have the complacent who reach one level and feel that's enough. We have those who enjoy God’s riches but aren't eager to share them. And finally, there are those who not only enjoy what they have in the Lord but also share it! They are the ones who freely give what they have freely received. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8 (NIV)

God’s desire is for us to grow, to know Him, and to mature so that we can give much to others. When Paul talks about spiritual maturity, he makes a distinction between those who are "fleshly" (carnal) and those who are "spiritual." We learn that to mature and grow in the Lord, there are things we must leave behind and things we must gain. We toss aside the works of the flesh and long for the fruit of the Spirit.

The church in Corinth is a perfect example of this. Paul tells the brothers and sisters: "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as

people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NIV)

The key word is "worldly" (carnal). This worldliness is linked to the inability to receive solid food—the deep and rich things of God—because they weren’t ready. Sadly, this still happens in the church today. While some plants are blooming and producing fruit, others remain small, content with themselves in a state of self-satisfaction.

I can just imagine the Lord’s voice encouraging us, with firm but tender love, to bloom and bear abundant fruit for His glory.