The Terrible 2's of Christianity

The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away.  Who among you fears the LORD?  Who obeys the voice of His Servant?  Who walks in darkness And has no light?  Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God. Isaiah 50:5, 10 (NKJV)


Every once in awhile I need to get away, and when this need arises, I usually pack up my truck and head up the coast of California to Pismo Beach.  This has long since been one of our family favorite spots as we all love the ocean and there is so much to do there.  Recently I was up there for a few days with my family and I was blessed to spend some quality time with them.  

On this particular trip my wife Carol and I had joined up with our daughter Rachel, her husband Chris, and our two grandsons, Titus who is just about 5, and his younger brother Levi, who is just 2-years old.  We love those boys immensely and "boy" are they are full of energy.  Carol and I didn't have any boys, and I figure God knew exactly what He was doing--giving me time to develop a greater love, patience and understanding before giving me 2-son-in-laws, and the two grandsons.  Simply put, boys are very different than girls--and in many ways beyond the obvious.  

Well, as I said before, our youngest grandson, Levi, had just turned 2-years old and he is becoming an independent and strong willed little guy; very adamant in the things he has decided to do.  And he's not just determined on doing those certain things that he has decided to do, but he is going to do them alone.  He doesn't want anyone's help; he has it all figured out--that is until he can't do it, and then he calls in for help.   I started to think about it, and I concluded that each of us can be that way at some point, and on the average, it must be around 2-years of age that this can start to happen.  I guess that's why they call it the Terrible 2's.

Prior to this time in our childhood we acknowledge that we are fully dependent on our parents--needing them to feed us, clothe us; change our diapers, wash and bath us, and take care of every facet of our well-being.  We fully trust them, and we look to them to learn everything that we can possibly learn.  There is a sense of safety and belonging that allows us to feel loved and nurtured.

This is true of us as God's children to. 

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1John 3:1(NKJV)

Do you remember what it was like when you first made a profession of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior?  Do you remember the feeling of being forgiven of your sins?  Do you remember wanting to be in the presence of your Heavenly Father, and to do the things in the way that He wanted you to do them?

It is a cool feeling when we are walking with God and abiding in His Word.  Everything is new as we read His Word and learn things for the first time.  There is a feeling of comfort and peace, safety and assurance about us--it seems that all is right in the world.  We are fully dependent on His provisions, and His teachings, and we look to Him constantly in an attempt to learn and to glean good principles.  We do this because He is our Father, and we want to imitate Him.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV)

The very process of learning and maturing has started over for us as Newborn Spiritual babies, and it is just as it was when we were infants.  And, just as it was when we reached that 2-year mark, we will be tempted to do things our own independent way at some point.  We might want to do something completely wrong, or even something that is good, but we won't do it the way we had hoped or thought that we would.  And, just as it was with the 2-year-old-child, we will get only so far before we cry out for help--frustrated that things aren't going as planned.

And God, who is always faithful, will be there for us because He loves us, and He is patient and longsuffering.   He will chasten us when we get going in the wrong direction (See Heb. 12:6).  He is gentle in His handling of our transgressions; showing us love when we deserve wrath.  He does this knowing that it is His love that will ultimately lead us back to Him--this is what causes us to turn from sin.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (NKJV)

I want to encourage you today to take a few moments and ask the Lord to show you the areas in your life where you have become like an independent 2-year-old-child.  Take a look at how patient and loving God has been with you in these areas, and ask yourself, "How much longer am I going to do this?"

Hes waiting on you, and He is willing to help you this very day in that area of bondage.  Cry out to Him today and stop the terrible 2's of Christianity.

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with respect to our position in the family of God, and His willingness to be a loving parent? 

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you being independent and not wanting what God wants for your life?

APPLICATION: Seek the Lord today--spend time with Him, and talk to Him--He loves you and wants to help you.