Dear Friends in Christ,

     Every now and then I discover a text in scripture that speaks to me in a new way. Recently in a Sunday morning message we shared such a reading from Peter's hand and I think it's of such importance that it bears repeating. Bear in mind that there is no question these words are Peter's-- a man who actually knew Jesus, walked with him for three years, and experienced the power of the resurrection and Pentecost. The text is found in 1st Peter 2:2-3:

          Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk,
          that by it you may grow up to salvation;
          for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

     There are two themes in this statement that I'd like to highlight for you and ask you to ponder.

     The first states that we should long for what is necessary to "grow up to salvation." Peter understood that conversion is best understood not as an "event" but rather as a relationship that is ongoing. The Book of Hebrews states "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who marks you to be present on that day when salvation is made complete." Peter understood that a continuing walk with God was necessary for us to experience the fullness of salvation.

     The second theme refers to our having "tasted the kindness of the Lord." My wife Linda bakes an absolutely delicious cheese Danish dessert and the first time she did, she asked if I'd like a taste. I tried it and it was great! Immediately I wanted more! I wasn't willing to settle for just a taste, I wanted a full piece.

     Peter is saying when we are in the infancy of our relationship with Christ, we've only just "tasted" the kindness and the goodness of the Lord. He's saying we've only just begun and God has more in store for us than we can imagine. So how do we get more than just a taste? We commit to the personal discipline of a daily devotional and prayer life. If we are unwilling to take this first small step, it's like being hungry but refusing to sit down at the table to take the time to eat. Now, if physically we didn't eat for weeks at a time, what would happen to us? Of course, we would get weak, sick, and eventually die. It's also true of our spiritual life. If we are not getting spiritually fed, then we aren't going to be spiritually healthy, either. So if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord, let me invite you to consider sitting at the table to enjoy a full meal!

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church

Bob

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