There are times in my life when I need a little cheer. A good Bible verse, an encouraging song, a note of appreciation – I have many ways I receive comfort. Today was a very good day filled with Zoom meetings and setting up life for the future. One of my meetings was with our district superintendent who offered needed information. I found that one particularly helpful. Another meeting was with a church member who is helping me to set up some online study opportunities. I am excited at the idea of seeing friendly faces and talking about Bible stories.
I was feeling pretty good about things in general, but around 4:00 this afternoon I felt a familiar tug. Doing all of my work remotely is achievable but still not second nature for me. The effort to use all these online tools can be exhausting, and I craved some encouragement. A little comfort was needed; I recognized the desire immediately. This longing wasn’t something that could be filled with words or even music.
I got up from the computer and moved to the next room. Technology may not be a natural fit, but I have two things in my life I can always count on for that needed pick-me-up… two things that never fail to lift my spirits and move me forward. One is Scripture. The other? Cookies.
I grabbed sugar, eggs and peanut butter, and I got to work. There’s something about rolling dough into little balls and patting them out on a cookie sheet that is so satisfying. After a time in a hot oven, the first batch was golden brown with a cute little crisscross pattern on each cookie. The second included chocolate chips, and the third was topped with just a sprinkle of sugar. The gratification of making cookies is only exceeded by the indulgence of eating cookies. I poured myself a glass of cold milk and got to work on that as well. I had formulated a plan, acted to create something yummy, and completed my intended outcome. With lifted spirits, a happy tummy and fulfilled taste buds, I returned to my computer energized and ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
If I can grab some items off the shelf and create a delicious order out of the randomness of my pantry, I cannot begin to imagine the creativity of God Almighty. Ordering the universe is a much bigger recipe than that of peanut butter cookies, and the batches of love and forgiveness that result are much sweeter. A formulated plan, an act to create, and a completed outcome are satisfied because the completion of a purpose is always God’s way. Through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are gifted with lifted spirits and fulfilled lives. Ultimately we are energized and ready to enjoy eternal life.
How can some of you say, “There’s no resurrection of the dead?” Paul asks. As a personal witness, he is making the case that “in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He’s the first crop of the harvest of those who have died.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-20, CEB, emphasis mine) The first crop? There’s more to come? What’s really cooking here? Sounds like a formulated plan whose completed outcome will occur at Christ’s return in glory. And I thought cookies were comforting!
I love God’s gift of order and promise. I love that impossibilities (like living after dying) are actually truths. I love that even the sweet taste of a homemade peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie can be a reminder of the salvific nature of Jesus Christ. Most of all, I love that there is always more to come.
Completely cheered up,
Pastor Beth
I was feeling pretty good about things in general, but around 4:00 this afternoon I felt a familiar tug. Doing all of my work remotely is achievable but still not second nature for me. The effort to use all these online tools can be exhausting, and I craved some encouragement. A little comfort was needed; I recognized the desire immediately. This longing wasn’t something that could be filled with words or even music.
I got up from the computer and moved to the next room. Technology may not be a natural fit, but I have two things in my life I can always count on for that needed pick-me-up… two things that never fail to lift my spirits and move me forward. One is Scripture. The other? Cookies.
I grabbed sugar, eggs and peanut butter, and I got to work. There’s something about rolling dough into little balls and patting them out on a cookie sheet that is so satisfying. After a time in a hot oven, the first batch was golden brown with a cute little crisscross pattern on each cookie. The second included chocolate chips, and the third was topped with just a sprinkle of sugar. The gratification of making cookies is only exceeded by the indulgence of eating cookies. I poured myself a glass of cold milk and got to work on that as well. I had formulated a plan, acted to create something yummy, and completed my intended outcome. With lifted spirits, a happy tummy and fulfilled taste buds, I returned to my computer energized and ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
If I can grab some items off the shelf and create a delicious order out of the randomness of my pantry, I cannot begin to imagine the creativity of God Almighty. Ordering the universe is a much bigger recipe than that of peanut butter cookies, and the batches of love and forgiveness that result are much sweeter. A formulated plan, an act to create, and a completed outcome are satisfied because the completion of a purpose is always God’s way. Through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are gifted with lifted spirits and fulfilled lives. Ultimately we are energized and ready to enjoy eternal life.
How can some of you say, “There’s no resurrection of the dead?” Paul asks. As a personal witness, he is making the case that “in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He’s the first crop of the harvest of those who have died.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-20, CEB, emphasis mine) The first crop? There’s more to come? What’s really cooking here? Sounds like a formulated plan whose completed outcome will occur at Christ’s return in glory. And I thought cookies were comforting!
I love God’s gift of order and promise. I love that impossibilities (like living after dying) are actually truths. I love that even the sweet taste of a homemade peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie can be a reminder of the salvific nature of Jesus Christ. Most of all, I love that there is always more to come.
Completely cheered up,
Pastor Beth