I remember helping my mom bake cakes when I was young. My mom was the one who knew the recipe. She was the one who gathered the ingredients. And when I was really young, she would even be the one to measure each ingredient. But, she would let me pour each ingredient into the bowl. Even though she didn't need my help, she let me be apart of the process.
The same thing goes with God. He is the maker of Heaven and Earth. He knows what He is doing and doesn't need our help, but invites us into the process because He desires a relationship with us. He doesn't need us to serve the needy, reach the nations, or love the lost, but by allowing us to be apart of His plan, He is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. Imagine God behind us, His hands on ours, helping us stir the cake mix.
When baking, any kid will tell you that one of the best parts of the process, besides the final product, is licking the spoon- it's because no kid has the patience to wait for the finale and so our parents would let us lick the spoon to hold us over in the meantime. It was a reminder to us of what is yet to come.
This past week I was in Georgia, at Training Camp for the World Race. I got to spend an amazing week with F squad (The group of 55 amazing people that I will be traveling and serving with for next 11 months). On Thursday night, the ladies of F squad got together to have some women's time because our men had already gone of to have some time of their own. What began as a time for girls to simply process some small stuff out loud became something so much more. The ingredients were all poured in to the bowl, and then God began to stir something in all of us. We began to open up to one another. To confess to one another. And each time some one shared their story, it gave others the freedom to share theirs. There was no judgement. Through our confessions, our hearts opened up to one another. Walls were crumbled and the chains of sin were broken. Christ was setting us free. Never in my life have I experienced something so incredible. And it was because that moment was not of this earth.
That night, God let us lick the spoon. In that moment, I got a taste of His Kingdom. And let me tell you, I have never tasted anything better. I can't wait for the cake! I can't wait until the Kingdom!
*Our indivual stories are going to help us connect with the women we meet around the world. But it is the freedom we have found in Christ because of His death & resurrection that is going to change their lives. After all, He has already changed ours. WE HAVE FREEDOM, NOW WE FIGHT!*
