Pause

There is much that brings us comfort in our faith. It is encouraging to know that God is near.

But there is much about faith that is demanding too. We can't simply "sleepwalk" through life, believing that God is only caring.

In these next moments, consider what God really and truly wants you to be and wants you to do.

Listen

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Think

Whether it is red velvet, chocolate, vanilla, or carrot, cake is good. For some, a great cake is all about the frosting, but for others it’s all about the batter.

Despite our opinions of what makes a good cake, there are essential ingredients. Flour, eggs, sugar, milk are the foundations of most. Without them, there is no cake.

We may prefer certain ways of worship or have differing opinions of what’s important, but Jesus is our essential ingredient. Without Jesus, there is no faith. Jesus is what our faith demands. Paul told the people at Corinth to focus on the essential ingredient that brought them together, instead of differences that caused them to argue.

Are you committed to what is essential? Are you committed to what our faith demands? Are you committed to Jesus Christ? If so, then let’s make a cake.

Ed Stallworth

Pray

Lord, let me focus on what is essential to the demands of faith. Allow me to be an instrument of your love. Amen.

Go

God is love, it's true.
And to follow God is to grow in love.

Watch along the path of your life today
For opportunities to yield to love.
To give in;
To place yourself at risk
For that human and most divine virtue,
The most demanding of all.