I smiled as the aroma of Nutmeg, Cinnamon and scintillating sprinkles of vanilla twirled around the kitchen and sifted into the dining room. As I began to soak my hands in the soapy water and wash the multitude of messy dishes I thought about how God mixes each of us together for His masterpiece and for His glory. There is nothing neat and orderly about how I cook. But I see the end result and how I want it to turn out. Many times, what I bake doesn’t work the way I had envisioned.
Unlike my kitchen disasters ( another time….:) God sees the bigger picture in each of our lives. He sees what each of us cannot see. I am not privy to the recipe that God has for my life. I know that He wants to cultivate in me the fruits of the spirit, and a flexible and willing heart that is completely surrendered to Him. But I do not know what methods He will do to make me holier and hopefully sweeter by His purest forms.
As individuals we are full of many moments. La Tascha, a strong godly woman, said that the trouble is when we get caught up in the moment and miss the eternal perspective. Each of our lives is like a beautiful masterpiece. Once we are saved we belong to Him but we have to give Him each piece of ourselves. We have to give God what we desire. We have to give Him our moments and our hours. Sometimes we have to put aside what we crave so we can commune with Him. Lately God puts things into my life that I wouldn’t choose on my own. I want the end result of being more like Him, but I struggle to give God control of the ingredients that He can use. You know when you are baking or cooking and you have to wait for the butter to melt or the water to boil. It takes forever. It might seem like God does not care. If He did understand what I wanted then He would not make certain things happen in my life. But if my life is surrendered to Him than the end result is not about what I want but about what will bring Him the most glory.
But God is so good. He sees the recipe and the end result. I wait and once all my ingredients are mixed together than God can make the miracle in my life. I come to the process of the purging and the waiting. Being made more like Christ hurts and stings. It is uncomfortable but as I burn I glow with the glory of Christ. Becoming more like Him is a gradual process that doesn’t happened over night. You slowly ooze out His love and become more intentional for the things of Christ.
In this crispy, autumn season God has been loving me through discipline. I would not add this to my baked goods list. But discipline and pain are necessary ingredients for me to become more in tune to His word with a heart beat pumping for my Savior. I don’t know what God is crafting in you this season, but surrender to Him and be more aware of His presence. Wake up in the morning and desire Him. Ask God to help you gracefully accept whatever He puts in your path for the day ahead. While I would rather avoid the frustrations that come as a result of my sin and this fallen world, I think that God’s adding something like patience and humility will make me stronger and help others grow in the long run.
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11.
Thank you so much for all your prayers as I walk through this teaching journey.
Much Love!
Sarah ❤
Thorns amidst the Roses 