The Progressive Journey
I often view this journey as a progression from me to you to we.
The me stage appears to be ok for an infant. They need attention, nourishment, and much milk. Our Heavenly Father makes more allowances for me in the infancy stage.
As we progress (and He expects us to) we move from me to you. This stage appears to speak of discipleship. It requires denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following Jesus. At this stage we are partaking of more solid food.
The progression from you to we appears to require presenting ourselves a living sacrifice so that the Lord can work through us to effect humanity. The partaking of His life. I can get from me to you, but I cannot get from you to we without you. Yet, I have no control over you, nor should I look to exercise control over you. But, I can present myself a living sacrifice for the Lord to work through me to effect you and we can then make up we. As others join in, we will make up the full stature of Christ. At this third stage we have been equipped to partake of meat.
I am often grieved when I see a brother or sister in the Lord look down on a family member that is going through difficulty and they appear to make hasty conclusions as to what their issue and remedy is. The next time we are tempted to go that route, may we consider that our brethren may be more equipped than us and is shedding his blood for our benefit.
This was something the Apostle Paul seemed to be going through as it appeared that there were others looking down on him. Yet, as we pass through the winepress in life, our loving Father will turn our crushed grapes into wine.
Likewise, those that have progressed to solids and meat can then start looking down on those on milk. May we remember how patient and gracious our Lord has been with us and as such, extend the same to our fellowman.
Yes, spiritual maturity appears to progress from the smaller picture of me, to the larger picture of their is the whole of humanity at the Lord's heart. May we remember this as we are faced with the challenges in life and edify each other in love and comfort.
Reference: Hebrews 5
2 Corinthians 10-11