Reflections in a Nursery
Reflections in a Nursery
A friend of mine had a baby recently. As I visited the couple’s home, I had to admire their elaborate nursery. They really did it up right! Big Bird nested in the corner, Snuffulupagus perched on the crib side table, and an assortment of Wabbling Weebols, Smurfs, and My Little Ponies encircled the interior of the crib. Not to mention five teddy bears. And a busy box gizmo with umpteen handles, knobs, and twirly things. And two musical mobiles. And who knows how many rattles.
This baby was decked out. There was no way this kid was going to get bored or cranky, right?
Well, not exactly. True, the child will be able to amuse himself, what with so many gaudy toys and wild, wonderful distractions. He should find himself positively absorbed at times by the ministrations of the musical mobiles.
But amusement of that sort only lasts for so long. A child is easily quieted so long as he isn’t hungry.
But watch out! Once that baby feels the cravings of nature within, absolutely nothing will satisfy but food!
So it is with our soul. Distractions and amusements may appease us for awhile—church music, candles, processions, banners, committees, and Christian talk shows. But all these, like gaudy toys, will occupy and entertain for only so long. Sooner or later boredom and frustration set in. Once a believer’s conscience is awakened, all of those religious trappings and incidentals simply won’t satisfy. Like the writer said in Hebrews 5, you begin to want solid food.
A man or woman animated by the Spirit just has to be fed. The cravings of our new nature force us back to the basics—and there begins the glorious pursuit of God. A real Christian will not rest contented with mere appearances. They’ll seem like a waste of time.
Are you gathering more spiritual things around you and enjoying it less? Are you bored? Restless? Do you refuse to be entertained? Want something more?
It may be that you’re hungry! The cravings of your new nature are giving you hunger pains. And you will not be satisfied until you have real food. Like Jesus says in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.”
Want to quiet those cravings? Forget the gizmos and doodads in the nursery. The King waits at the dining table.