I am not a baker. Cookies, cakes and pies are a mystery to me. Somehow the "baking gene" passed me by and went to my little sister. She is Betty Crocker rediscovered. But now that my husband and I have moved into a newer home with a newer kitchen, I have dusted off my apron and cracked open a cake mix. It's in the oven right now....we'll see how it turns out.
You know the best part about baking a cake is eating the left over batter in the mixing bowl. Even as a kid, I would've chosen the batter over the cake any day. It's good stuff! As I was working on the cake batter and licking the beaters and spatulas, it occurred to me that I would never eat the ingredients on their own. I can't imagine sitting with a bucket of butter or cracking open some raw eggs....yuck. What is the difference between those ingredients in their raw state and after they've been beat into a frothy cake batter? The same ingredients are there -- they don't magically transform into some other sweet treat. Nope, its still eggs, which remain raw, and butter and a flour-y cake mix. But when they are mixed ....YUM, YUM, YUM!
That cake batter revelation draws a perfect parallel for believers today. Recently my church has been taking an in depth look at what the "church" should be to us as believers, our community and those around us who don't know Jesus. In our discussion it is apparent that so many Christians want to label "church work" for only those in full time ministry. Or better yet, we tend to pigeon hole our "ministry" time to be only when working on the occasional mission trip or project. What about all of us, who believe, looking for ways to do "ministry" at any time, any where? Why do we sometimes compartmentalize our activities. It seems that we function with a mentality that goes something like this:
"I am at work. I am working on a big project. But the gal in the cubicle next to me seems really upset by the phone call she just received. I should go over and ask if I can pray with her, but I am at work and I probably shouldn't take company time to do that....plus, I am really busy."
We tend to want to only wear our "God hat" when we are given a designated time of the week to do "church" things. We only dust off our "serving apron" when we are volunteering once a month at our local soup kitchen. We only swing a hammer for a widow in need of a few home repairs when our church has arranged for a "community work day".
Now don't get me wrong....these structured activities are great and I encourage you to stay involved in these. But what I want to open your eyes to are the opportunities that cross our path every day to reach out to someone and show them love and care.
Think about the cake. The ingredients, when separated, are good on their own and in the right culinary situation. But when they are mixed together, they are soooo much better! They taste amazing when beaten together to form that wonderful cake mix. The same is true for you and I...when we choose to do things for God only on those structured and pre-appointed times, it is good. It is fine. But when we choose to mix God's love into our every day routine, into our daily activities, in the way we talk and walk, in our attitudes, in our smiles.....then it is oh, so good. It is amazingly sweet and will keep those around you wanting more!!
At the end of the gospel, Jesus commands us to go out into the world and share the good news. He did not follow this command with the statement, "only when your church schedules it for you." or "when the pastor makes an announcement looking for volunteers, then you should go out and share the good news." No, Jesus wanted us to mix it all together, just like He did. Read the stories of Jesus and His encounter with the people in the gospels. More times than not, Jesus touched lives as He went about His day, walking from here to there, attending a wedding, sitting in the temple, riding a donkey, preparing for a feast. He was the perfect mix of love, patience and caring.
So today, eat some cake....I'm going to.... but also keep in mind that by mixing God into every part of day will we be able to offer a love to those around us that is a sweet treat!
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