This post has nothing to do with the topic- maybe a little. But hey, before you accuse me of false advertising, just hear me out. 😉

Do you know taste buds evolve as we grow older? I mean, as kids we’d like more of sugars and everything sweet. A lot of us still have the sweet tooth. However there’s the next stage in the evolution of taste buds when you adapt to sour and spicy food. Food feels like dog food when there’s no sufficient pepper in it. We indulge in sour drinks that hit some nerves we never knew existed. I’m sure some of you can relate. Then there’s the bitter stage, where things like kola nuts, wheat bread and other not so sweet foods begin to appeal more. I remember how I always teased my mom of not liking sweet things. Now I get it. LOL.

Today in my devotional, the writer tried to explain the various stages in Christian growth using one Sentence ‘God loves you’. As a baby Christian, this is sweet to the taste buds. It reminds us of how victorious we are in Christ Jesus. As growing Christians we see this in terms of responsibility. For whom God loves, he chastises (Heb 12:6). This is a bit sour to our taste buds. Nobody likes being punished. But at that stage we understand that God doesn’t punish us because He hates us but rather because He loves us and wants us to grow.

As mature Christians, the same sentence would ignite a bit of apprehension. Because then you’d understand that God loves you means sacrifice; as Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son whom he loved (Gen 22:2, Eph 5:2). This is bitter to the taste buds of a babe. It’s hard-core! But as you grow, you expand and become more adaptable.

If someone had told me as a child that I would love spicy foods, I’d look at them in puzzlement. But with this understanding, I won’t be surprised if someone tells me I’d like bitter foods (I still can’t see myself eating the sugarless wheat bread though) Lol.

Likewise, there are concepts in Christianity that are not so appealing to some of us right now. However, as you grow in the knowledge of God, you begin to gain insights into the deep things of God. Some of us still cringe at certain unsweetened messages preached in church. But when you grow, you leave the realms of sweet messages that make your tummy tinkle to realms where every word spoken holds such deep meaning that you can spend hours upon hours meditating.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. -2 Pet 3:18

Keep growing!

It’s my desire that you live victorious lives.

©Mfon Etuk