Fed with Milk, Served with Meat, Hunt for Game
I think this is another one of those topics that you will always hear me talk about if you hang out around me often, but I just never really got to consolidate my thoughts and write it down.
I was just wondering about my spiritual walk when I’m in Montreal for the next four months. There isn’t a Hope church over there, no cell group to enjoy biblical fellowship or shepherd to look out for me. Of course I can join a church over there and all, but this whole idea of stripping my Christian walk down to the core just reminded me that at the end of the day, spiritual growth is one’s personal responsibility. Others are there to assist you, not to be in charge of you. In that sense, if your spiritual walk is not doing well, it is no one’s fault but your own.
Our spiritual walk is our own responsibility; don’t push it to others.
I tend to liken the church to a school, the cell group to a class, the shepherd to a teacher and ourselves as its students taking a test. At the end of the day, we are the ones taking the test; our friends and our teachers cannot take it on our behalf. Though the class environment and the teachers may play some part in your results, the outcome of the test is eventually up to you. Situations may not be favorable all the time, but it is to my belief that one’s internal will can triumphs over external circumstance.
The triumph of the will.
As such, while I’m there, self shepherding would be key. God will be my pastor, my teacher, my shepherd. I would hear from him, respond to him, be corrected by him, directly. I’m guaranteed to learn as much as I seek to learn, as much as I want to learn.
When we were young, we were fed with milk. As we matured, we had meat served to us. Somehow, the last part about us eventually having to learn how to hunt for our own game is always conveniently excluded or forgotten.
Just as how meat separates the child from the babies, the ability to hunt separates the adult from the children.
I’m waiting to see what will happen in the next 4 months of “Simply God” time in Montreal =)
Maybe I can hijack a plane to Montreal too…hmm…
Sure, you’re more than welcomed!
Haha. .I’m sure you’ll do very well.. You have always been a hunter that hunts for the game.. Haha
Well, I do have to give you credit for giving me the meat and milk. Lol.
holding out for our skype chats before during and after man!
I’m sure you’ll experience something so fresh and new it’ll only consolidate what God already has done!
I’m considering whether to buy an even better set of headphones and mic. =X
Hey Zach. I think this book might help
“So you dont want to go to church anymore”
By Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman
The title sounds interesting!
hey! when my eyes were glancing through your post, i can’t help but to agree with this statement man!
‘Our spiritual walk is our own responsibility; don’t push it to others.’
So friend, JIA YOU!
Thanks, you too!
yo. its been quite long since i came to ur blog. like david, i really agree with the “Our spiritual walk is our own responsibility; don’t push it to others”. jia you now in singapore and when you’re in montreal. God is everywhere, so it ain’t matter what church you’re attending, but remember, whichever church u are at, be a king david, a man after God’s own heart.
hey. i guess what you say is really true. but i think that it is still important to be accountable to someone at all times. there are different seasons in our lives and maybe this is a new one again, where you meet new people?
haha i dont know.. just a random thought.
woah…impactful stuff
good analogy!
what will you be doing in montreal? by the way that’s a great post bro.
Thanks! I would be doing an exchange term for one semester in McGill! =)
Great entry!
You are right spiritual growth is a personal responsibility, everyone can help you along the way, but it is ultimately up to you to continually inch your way toward the perfect standard, never attaining but always striving.
Broadly speaking, I definitely believe that having a strong spiritual network will serve one better than having your “walk stripped to the core”, because of the associated benefits that come with accountability, fellowship, teaching…
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” It is true that God is the shepherd, and he places people in our lives for purposes.
The crux of the issue, to me at least, is this: As can be seen from the parable of the talents, God’s grace and blessings differ in both quality and quantity for different people. We will not all be a spiritual illuminary, like the Judges, Kings and Prophets. However, God is pleased as long as we bear fruit, and multiply our talents.