Seasonal Tilt

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12 NAS)

The four seasons are often thought of by many as distinct phases in a year. Spring is a time for new life or rebirth, summer for warmth and growth, fall for harvest and gathering, and winter for sleep, rest and death. According to an article at IndepthInfo.com, the variance in temperature and climate on the earth during the different seasons is largely because of the tilt of the earth. As the earth circles the sun, the axis tilts more toward or away from the sun. This tilt consistently points in the same direction regardless where the earth is positioned in the orbit and determines the warming and cooling in a seasonal cycle.

Like the seasons in a year which spring forth from new life to growth, harvest, and then decay, the seasons of human life also spring forth different experiences, strengths and weaknesses during the different stages of our lives. Challenges of different sorts are faced during the different stages, and we learn to handle them differently as we grow in maturity. This is normal because while we were children, we behave, speak, think and reason like children, but when we become adults, we do away with childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Unlike the seasons which run a new cycle after each year, however, the seasons of human life—including our lives—follow through linear progression from childhood to eventual death without any cycle. The Bible states very clearly it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Knowing this, therefore, we should not let ourselves become too accustomed receiving milk or elementary principles, for anyone who lives on milk is not acquainted with the teaching of righteousness (Hebrews 5:13). We should instead seek to progress and grow in spiritual maturity to consume solid food, which is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:13-14).

If we have known the Lord for many years, then by this time we ought to be teachers or capable of nurturing others. If we are unable to do so, it is likely we have not been putting enough effort to the study of God’s word. If we today are still making decisions that follow our old ways before we know the Lord, then we are like children who are unacquainted with the teachings of righteousness and in need of basic truths (Hebrews 5:12). If we think it is understandable or try to justify ourselves that we are doing so because we can only see God’s plan vaguely at this time, we have forgotten we are not without guidance. The word of God is enough at this present time for us to know the path, and some day face to face with our Lord, we shall know fully, just as we are fully known by Him (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Let us therefore, while waiting for our Lord’s return, not be like children or infants. Instead, let us be like the tilt of the earth to always point in the same direction regardless of our circumstances in our pursuit to study God’s word. Let us determine in our hearts to know more of Christ our Lord and grow in spiritual maturity. Just as the earth circles around the sun, let us also surround everything we do according to God’s word and will. Through all circumstances—warm or cold—let us not hibernate or stay in infancy, but grow and progress in faith to achieve God’s goal for our lives.

Dear Lord, forgive us for sometimes behaving like children, always expecting to be fed rather than to grow up to feed others. Lay the seed and grow in us Lord the knowledge of Your word that as we grow in years, we may also grow in spiritual maturity. Put in our hearts the determination to want to know You more through the in-depth studying of Your word. Remind us Lord to seek Your will every time we want to make our own decisions without the knowledge of Your word. Help us Lord to always point in the same direction towards fulfilling Your will in all we do, and in all circumstances acknowledge You.