A 20-Year-Old in a Toddler’s Body

Meet Brooke Greenburg (left) and her mother Melanie (right).  Believe it or not, Brook was born in 1993 and recently turned twenty years old.  Sadly, before the age of five Brook completely stopped growing and developing.  She weighs 16 pounds and is 20 inches tall.  She has to wear diapers, be fed through a tube and pushed around in a stroller.  Her mother estimates her mind is like that of a six month old infant, giggling and laughing when happy.  Since Brooke’s situation is unlike any other in the world, the doctors have no idea why this happened.  The good news is Brooke was born into a wonderful family who loves her and cares for her (Yahoo News).

It is beyond obvious something is not normal with Brooke, especially since this is the only known case in the world.  We all understand that growth and maturity are natural parts of life.  This doesn’t just apply physically, but it applies spiritually as well.  Paul said of Christians who should be mature but are still infants, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  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 5:12-14).

Situations like Brooke’s are heartbreaking.  It is so difficult to see a child who will never be able to fully enjoy and experience this life.  However, it is even more upsetting to see and hear of those who have been Christians for many years, yet act like spiritual babies.  These are Christians who put work, family, school, and sports above the Lord.  These are Christians who deprive themselves from the most basic elements of prayer, Bible study, and worship.  These are Christians who think, talk, act, and dress like the world.

Thankfully, Brooke will one day be given a mature and eternal body up in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).  But Christians who refuse to grow spiritually are endangering their salvation and the reward of heaven (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Hebrews 5:14).  The bottom line is, we must continue to grow and mature as Christians.  Therefore, the one question we must ask ourselves is, “Am I growing spiritually?” 

Elementary My Dear Watson

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip.  As they lay down for the night, Holmes said, "Watson, look up and tell me what you see.”  Watson said, "I see millions and millions of stars."  Holmes asked, "And what does that tell you?”  Watson replied, "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.  What does it tell you Holmes?"  Holmes answered simply, "Somebody stole our tent."

Sherlock Holmes is a character that is famous for being able to solve the most difficult of cases.  Interestingly, he does this by observing very basic and elementary aspects of a situation.  He then uses this information to form complex and insightful conclusions to help solve the crime.

Throughout Scripture we see discussions on elementary principles for mature Christians and young Christians.  Younger Christians are told to grow (1 Peter 2:2), to mature (1 Corinthians 14:10), and move past the elementary teachings (Hebrews 6:1).

Mature Christians are told to live up to their maturity expectations (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:11-14), to no longer be Children but be grounded in Scripture (Ephesians 4:14), and to continue growing (Ephesians 4:15; 2 Peter 3:18).

The point of these Scriptures is to always grow, mature, and move beyond the elementary principles.  We cannot stay on “milk” forever.  But does this mean once we learn these principles we should toss them aside?  Of course not!  We should always keep these principles firmly in mind.  But for mature Christians, this means continuing to use these elementary principles as a foundation for more complex and deep spiritual thought.  Using them as the foundation.

Sherlock Holmes was all about keeping the elementary principles fresh while using them to bring out depth and complexity.  Young Christians need to continue to learn the elementary principles found in Scripture.  Mature Christians can forget the most basic teachings of Scripture.  Therefore, everyone must always keep these basic principles fresh in mind.  As we grow and press towards maturity of Christians, let’s never forget the basic, yet vital, teachings of the Bible.