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.
— 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Over 2,000 years ago, a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After several years, the teacher’s efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite work of art. Unfortunately, he became so enraptured with the painting that he spent days gazing at it.
One morning when he arrived to admire his work, he was shocked to find it blotted out with paint. Angry, Timanthes ran to his teacher, who admitted he had destroyed the painting. “I did it for your own good. That painting was slowing your progress. Start again and see if you can do better.”
Timanthes took his teacher’s advice and produced Sacrifice of Iphigenia, which is regarded as one of the finest paintings of antiquity. Yet he never would’ve painted such a masterpiece had he remained too easily satisfied with what he’d done up to that point.
When it comes to their relationship with Christ, Christians all too often remain so satisfied with where they are that they forget where they need to be going. This was the apostle Paul’s point in today’s passage, where he told the Corinthians they needed to move beyond the status quo and grow in their walk with Christ.
Maybe today you’ve found yourself so easily satisfied with how things are that you’re not growing in your faith. Look ahead. God has something great in store for you if you’re willing to grow in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would not let you be too easily satisfied with how you are today and help you look forward to growing in Christ!