I like a great analogy.

Not all of them work but when they’re spot on, like this one about parenting and archery, they can really shake the roof.

The other day when feeding my baby I noticed something that lent itself as an analogy for Christian consumption of the Word.

You see, a distinct pattern has evolved when it comes to feeding my baby girl. We start out normal – she’s sitting in her high chair, I’m feeding her out of a bowl. I make airplane noises and do nose-dives with the spoon; she opens her mouth to accept my culinary cargo.

Then after about 10 spoonfuls, she gets tired of sitting down and decides to stand up, hold the back of the chair and turn away from me. She’s still interested in eating, made evident as I maneuver her spoon and make some dynamic passes at her eagerly awaiting mouth. It’s just that she wants to move around a bit, distracted by the dining room at large.

After about another 10 spoonfuls she’s tired of the lame Spitfire engine sounds and constant pleading I’m subjecting her to. She tries to dismount her chair (dangerous) so I lift her out and relocate her to my left knee (safe). From here we resume the cargo delivery process, except this time my pleading has taken on a musical quality, the kind of sing-song tone that daddies assume makes their baby become more interested in finishing a meal (?!).

And the grand point of all this?

No matter what happens, Christian leaders must always preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2).

Baby Christians will always be distracted by the world. The Devil continuously tries to lure God’s children away from truth with the pride of life. And at times it can get mighty frustrating for spiritual leaders trying to aid Christians in their daily sanctification and growth.

But rather than cater people’s every whim, rather than give in to their wants and tailor our message to fit their distracted natures, we should continue to feed them the pure, unadulterated Word.

They may test the sturdiness of their high chairs; they may be mesmerized by other objects in the room. But if our mission is to feed them, then feed them we must.

Can you imagine what’d happen to my baby if I gave up feeding every time she didn’t sit still and conform to my standards of eating a meal? Imagine how long she’d last if I exchanged baby food with lollypops just because they’re more colorful and tantalizing.

Yet all too often that’s what happens in some churches to the detriment of many spiritual lives.

We ought to take care that our flock is fed the Word, no matter what fickle diversions come their way.

Oh and I hope the analogy works :D