One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
When we are quoting that verse, let us not forget the last part. Far too often we end it at “love God” and miss the part where it tells us, “to them who are the called according to His purpose.” His purpose.
Some things that have happened to me in life were very bad, somewhat bad, and then we have the absolutely dreadful, as defined by my purpose, or by most any sensible person’s purpose really. At the time I did not understand, I could not see how any good could possibly come from them. Now that my eyes are more mature, I can see through the glass less darkly. Some of those bad things actually served a vital and valuable role in my life, according to His purpose. Some things still remain hidden behind that smoky glass, their purpose yet unknown.
While spiritual maturity may have its privileges, I am bound and determined to age backwards here, so we shall go backwards. Someone far wiser than me equated one’s life as being much like God mixing all the ingredients together and baking a delicious cake.
Separate, alone, none of those ingredients are appealing at all, in fact most of them are rather bitter and unpleasant, baking soda or baking powder for example. Flour. Salt. I remember as a child always wanting to taste Crisco, that creamy, white goodness so appealing for some reason. Of course, once you put some in your mouth it is rather appalling. My kids often wanted to taste vanilla, something that smells so good, but alone it is some tragic mix of rubbing alcohol and shampoo.
I don’t even want to know how they knew exactly what rubbing alcohol and shampoo tasted like, but I took their word for it.
Somewhat amusing, today our recipes say, “mix on high for two minutes,” but before mixers were popular it would say, “beat at least 300 times.” I’m afraid that too is necessary, and really the only proper way to mix the ingredients.
When God is baking the cake, all things work together for good, the flour, the salt, the baking powder, the bitterness of each ingredient alone just waiting to bring out the best in another. That is what lurks within the heart of Romans 8:28. A delicious cake awaits you, if you can just trust in His promise.
Unlike me, God never forgets a single ingredient.
oneta hayes said:
Today I was mulling over a problem and in my thoughts I said, “Oh, God, I just don’t understand…” His answer, “Lean not to your own understanding…just trust me.” Your post confirms. I know I don’t want to end up half made, and I do trust Him to not be any harder on me than is necessary for the “recipe.” Thanks.
LikeLiked by 3 people
dawnlizjones said:
Oh, Oneta, leave it up to you to leave nuggets of true wisdom even in the comment section for me too!! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dawnlizjones said:
The beating process, yep, that’s definitely part of it, gets the air in, right? (sigh….)
LikeLiked by 2 people
MicheleMariePoetry said:
I’d never heard the ‘cake’ analogy, but instead heard the ‘painting’ and the
‘needlepoint’ analogy. If you want to have a beautiful painting, you need not just happy yellows and pinks etc. but you need dark blacks, bloody reds etc. In other words, shadows (difficult moments in our lives) are just as necessary to a beautiful painting as is the bright merry colors. And likewise the needlepoint is beautiful. But if you turn over the needlepoint, the back is ugly, full of knots and strings that don’t make sense. (Then of course, there is the pope that said that ‘EVERY’ life is a drama – which I love.
Of all that I’ve heard, this ‘cake’ analogy is now my favorite. I’d never heard it before, but you brought it together beautifully and makes perfect sense!
LikeLiked by 2 people
insanitybytes22 said:
A needlepoint tapestry! I like it. Same idea, indeed. “Every life is a drama,” I like that one too!
Someone once said we are all like a song, and than some crazy scientists decided to see if our DNA can actually be set to music. Sure enough there are musical notes hidden in the math and we are all indeed, a unique song. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Citizen Tom said:
When my wife asked my favorite Bible verse, off the top of my head I could not think of one I like better than all my other favorite verses, but Romans 8:28 is definite up there. Imagine being a deist, an agnostic, or an atheist. Imagine going through life uncertain that God has a plan. Then imagine something even worst. Imagine being certain there is no God, and there is no plan. Whatever vile thing befalls you or someone you care about is for no purpose at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
newenglandsun said:
ib, i need a cake.
LikeLiked by 2 people
insanitybytes22 said:
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
newenglandsun said:
do you need me to send you my address so you can ship it to my car?
LikeLike
insanitybytes22 said:
LOL! Hang in there and take heart. 🙂
LikeLike
newenglandsun said:
better send the cake soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tricia said:
Great analogy there! The issue for me, as always, is being impatient wth the whole process and taking matters in to my own hands and taking the cake out of the oven early. It never ends well. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
gmgoetz said:
Excellent! Thank you.
LikeLike
Shattered in Him said:
I have been quoting Romans 8:28 quite a lot recently. Love the cake analogy.
LikeLiked by 1 person