The Float

THE FLOAT

This past Saturday the town where we grew up had a special celebration. They
have it every year; it is the Tipp City, Ohio Mum Festival. There were lots
of marching bands, lots of floats, lots of horses, etc. Typical small town
America good stuff!

Our great nephew Mason was scheduled to ride on a float with the Cub Scouts
(A great organization). For those in other countries who may not know what a
"float" is, it is normally a cart or wagon which is decorated with flowers
and colored paper, to draw attention to some organization, what they are
doing or what they stand for. Mason's two year old sister Megan didn't know
what they were talking about, saying that "Mason was going to be on a
float". They found that out later when she wanted to know when they were
going swimming. The only float she knew about was floating on the water. The
family never thought about the fact that she didn't know what a "float" was,
but then she is only 2 years old.

I wonder how many times we make the mistake of assuming that those around us
know what we are talking about when we discuss Christ and his Church? A new
member of our church one time confided that it took awhile for them to
understand the code we used in the church. I really didn't understand what
they meant and asked them to explain. They said you know, when you mean the
book of First Timothy you write it out as "1 Ti". When you mean the book of
Romans you will write "Rom.". When you mean the Old Testament you write,
"O.T." and or the New Testament you write, "N.T."

Since the time that conversation took place I try to make it a point to
write out completely the scripture citations I use. Each of us begins our
walk with Christ as "babes", not full grown with a full understanding of the
things of God. We grown however when we take in the word of God and let it
mature us and teach us. The writer of Hebrews tells us that is the way it
should work in Hebrews 5:12-14. Notice his words, "You have been believers
so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone
to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies
who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is
still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for
those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the
difference between right and wrong." (NLT)

How about you, do you now know the difference between a "float" and
"floating"? What about "having the skill to recognize the difference between
right and wrong"? You see there will come a time when you will no longer be
able to use the excuse that you are only a baby in Christ. God expects you
to grow and be accountable for your own understanding. You can't live your
life as a 2 year old. Do these words speak to you: "You have been believers
so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone
to teach you again the basic things about God's word."

If they do, then how about applying yourself to reading and learning The
Word of God!

Russ Lawson