Wanting it both ways

The other day I walked into the nursery to find my son trying to get both his paci and his bottle in his mouth at the same time. I had to laugh. My son, who is only 9 months old, weighs more than my daughter did at a year old. He is solid and a constant eater. But in this particular instance, he was the perfect picture of a Christian.

I gotta tell you-I saw it so clearly. He wanted the best of both worlds. He wanted his paci-that thing that is comforting, but empty. The thing that won't satisfy the desire, but satisfies a temporary "itch." But...he also wanted the bottle, the warm nourishment that wouldn satisfy the mouth craving, but would also fill that belly and provide longer happiness. Aren't we all the same way? We have those earthly security blankets that we clutch around us and try to cover us completely, when God has ultimately more satisfaction ready for us. We hang on to what is a temporary fix, because we don't want to put in the time for the long-term solution.

So I challenge you (and myself) today to find that spiritual paci-that thing you do that won't satisfy-and toss it aside. Maybe it's a quick devotional that's not really meditated on but done so you'll feel that you've done your "God thing" for the day; maybe you turn to friends for advice when you know the true answer, or you don't want to ask of Him who gives generously. Perhaps it's an excuse; I am great at not memorizing scripture because, "I've always been bad at that," or because I simply don't want the conviction that will come when the word is hidden in my heart. And Satan is more than happy to keep that ignorant paci in my mouth! Ask God to show you what's keeping you from drinking deeply of His time, love and wisdom.