The Bible talks about new Christians being fed on the "milk" of the word and mature Christians seeking the "meat." Pastor Maria McFadden from New Life Church in Castlegar, British Columbia shared a different analogy that makes a lot of sense to me. She asked if we were still in the "dating phase" with the Lord or were we growing in intimacy...in a more in-depth relationship with Christ?
If we compare our walk with Christ to that of one with our earthly spouse, it can be quite enlightening. Remember the early days in dating your spouse? You glowed like a beacon for everyone to see. The future was bright, the world was alight in colors and scents that were magnified in beauty, and the future held great promise. The holding of hands, the longing to never be apart, and the excitement when your spouse walked into a room and noticed only you were your bread and butter during that time. Unlike everyone else around you who seemed to be a little jaded or bitter or scoffing at your new found romance, you knew these feelings would last forever. Were you wrong? Not necessarily, but perhaps the problem lies in the need to stay in the "dating phase" and not embrace growth.
I've always appreciated the analogy of Christ as the Bridegroom and believers as the Bride. When I question the struggles I experience and wonder why God has not answered my prayers in a timely matter, I can see the disconnect when I reflect on my earthly relationship. Imagine what that relationship would be like if I spent only 15 minutes a day talking to him, when I found time that is, and maybe 10 minutes listening to him and possibly less trying to understand him. Imagine if I deliberately refused to do what my spouse has asked me to do or not to do? This undoubtedly is how God must feel when we fail to pick up our Bibles and seek a more intimate walk with Him.
Perhaps instead of choosing to view a long time relationship with a spouse as "loosing that spark" or "seeing the dew gone off the rose" it would be better to seek out a different, richer relationship with our spouse on earth, one with intimacy, knowing all and finding the joy and pleasure in serving each other in truth and love. Pastor McFadden encourages her flock to "not spend too long in the dating phase with the Lord" but to desire the deeper relationship which is what we are called to do. That "more mature" relationship comes with spending time with Him, reading His word, following his precepts, walking in His truths, abiding in Him, being a light to the world, and the salt of the earth.
"For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Hebrews 5:13-14