Let all that you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14
When my girls were young they loved to bake with me and help out in the kitchen. One day, my daughter Alyssa, who was always anxious to do the next “grown-up” thing, asked if she could make brownies all by herself. So I pulled out the brownie mix and other necessary ingredients. And, since she had recently learned to read, I showed her the recipe that was printed on the box. Then I left her to it.
I went about my business, making sure I periodically passed by the kitchen to see how things were progressing. She was managing well, reading the instructions carefully and following them to a tee. I knew she was pleased to be flying solo on this task.
After a little while when I peeked in again, I was shocked to see Alyssa with both hands fully submerged in the brownie mix up to her elbows! She looked completely baffled when I questioned what she was doing, but I quickly understood when I saw the directions on the box read mix by hand. She was not only following the directions carefully but quite literally too.
What would happen in our lives if we were that literal with God’s instructions to us? What if we truly kicked fear to the curb, as we’re so often told to do? What if we gave lavishly rather than occasionally? What if we literally did everything out of love? Can you imagine how our world could be turned upside down and the impact we could make if we followed God’s instructions whole-heartedly? How literal will we allow ourselves to be? Are we willing to be fully submerged followers of Jesus? Even up to our elbows?
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
As we read God’s Word, let’s listen with fresh ears. Let’s resist the temptation to hear familiar passages with distant comfort. His Word is meant for each of us—directly and literally. Perhaps today we give our best attempt to let everything we do come from a place of genuine love.