Friends Don’t Let Friends Keep A Milk Mustache

by Dino Rizzo on 08/20/10

We live in great days to be reaching people for the cause of Christ. I fully believe that. I also fully believe that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to do ministry. Take a look at what Hebrews 5:14 says:

Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

We need to be able to distinguish between right and wrong - to tell what’s good and not good. We’ve got to be able to recognize the difference between the two, and sometimes they can look a lot alike. My father-in-law Wayne Austin says that immaturity creates problems and maturity solves problems. Being mature means you’ve got to be able to handle stuff.

It’s easy to drink milk. It just goes down. No chewing required.  But one visit to Texas de Brazil will remind you that it requires effort to knock down a sirloin. You’ve got to chew it. It takes effort to be a meat-eater. You’ve got to be able to handle change, correction, a “yes” or a “no,” a transition, a season, seeing others elevated, being in the spotlight, being in the shadows. You’ve got to be able to handle differences, awkwardness, apologies, blessings, opportunity, pain. You have to know how to handle information, having the “inside scoop,” variations, shifts, modifications, diversity, conversations, replacements, about-faces, switches, realignments, redefinings, and ultimately you need to be able to handle the ever evolving and revolving nature of living a life dedicated to being like Jesus.

We live in a world of similarities. But maturity helps you discern between things. Is this a problem, or is it a promotion? Is this a time of doom, or a time of development? Is this about “me” or about “we”? Is this change I’m going through a time to panic, or is it just not that big a deal?

Let me challenge you to filter all of life through the Word. Pray more now than ever as you steer through the chaos of a blessed life (because with the blessings come new battles). And remember that the Spirit of Christ is our prime rib for living a fresh and new and hope-filled life.

And check yourself for a milk mustache then go get some top sirloin between your teeth.