Nurtured
February 21, 2012
As newborn babies arrive home from the hospital, they have endless needs. Many a sleepless parent can attest to that! They must have food in order to thrive and grow. They have to be changed and bathed in order to be kept clean. They want to be held because it gives them warming love. They require sleep so that their bodies can heal and renew themselves. Of course, all infants are helpless to meet these basic yet essential needs, so the constant attention of a loving parent provides the necessary nurturing.
Interestingly enough, these needs for nurture describe our spiritual journey very well. We, too, must be fed. Our spiritual food comes through word and sacraments, worship and the witness of others to us. As we listen, we drink in His Gospel and can sink our teeth confidently into God's promises. The more we hear and learn, the more we are able to digest the truths about our Heavenly Father.
We also need cleansing. Our sins have ruined our hope of reaching God on our own, and our impure thoughts, words, and deeds have dug a huge chasm between us and God. Fortunately, Jesus Christ, bridged that chasm through His death for us on the cross. Made pure by the blood of the Lamb of God, we are clothed in righteousness. Washed in the waters of baptism, we daily receive a deep cleaning by His grace.
An ongoing need we have is to be held. There are so many happenings around and within us that cause fear to build. We seek refuge, and His strong arms protect and shield us. He provides that refuge for us because He knows how much we need rest and renewal to grow as His people and have the energy to serve Him. So…He invites us to come to Him, all of us who are weary, and He will give us rest.
A final parallel to draw is this. Instinctively, a tiny child knows nothing more than what is essential for survival. Being totally dependent, he quickly recognizes his mother’s voice and his father’s strong arms. We, too, must focus on the voice of our Master. John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
As we listen to God, we realize that He alone can supply our needs. Then we understand why He says in Matthew 18:3 - Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. These words remind us that, left to our own devices, we make our journey too complex. We are distracted by too much and, as a result, miss seeing what is important.
As our Lenten journey begins…may we travel a path that helps us realize the complexities of our distractions and the futility of our goals. Instead, may we simply follow!
God’s nurturing: By it we thrive! 
