Devotionals

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Alright, I’m getting ready to disclose a little secret. It is one I have had for several years. It is not such a secret to those who are close to me, but some of you will be surprised. I am a peanut butter connoisseur. I like peanut butter cookies, peanut butter candies and peanut butter ice cream. One of my favorite things to eat is a spoonful of peanut butter right out of the jar. Oh yes! All by itself! And not meaning to advertise here, but Skippy has got the best, smoothest, creamiest peanut butter any choosy palate could prefer!

You may be wondering where this devotion is going next, but just hold on. There will be no running to the peanut butter jar - yet! I am reminded of God’s patience and craftsmanship when I look at a jar of peanut butter. For instance, to make a jar of peanut butter you will need to start with raw peanuts. Firstly, you will need to shell them, so that there is no remnant of outer dirt, dust or past life left on them from the shells. Secondly you will need to take the beautiful raw peanuts and crush them. Once you add the desired ingredients, salt, oil, etc, you will need to start whipping the peanuts into a creamy texture, all the while being careful not to make it too thin. Some factories tend to add too much oil or other unnatural ingredients that take away from the pure process. After all, the best peanut butter will easily stick to the roof of your mouth. When perfected, the butter that is made from the peanuts being crushed and whipped now constitutes a delectable consistency for others to partake of and enjoy!

Paul says,

For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

When we ask God to be the Lord of our life that is when the outer shell of our heart is removed. All the dirt, dust and signs of our old life have become history. God then has the pure, natural peanut to start working with in our lives. It may seem unprecedented but now it is time for the crushing to begin. It is time to make sure that all the old man has been done away with. This can only be accomplished through the Master’s refinement. And since He made us, He knows how much pressure will be needed to bring us to the right consistency so we can please Him, glorify Him and be a joy to others as well. When we willingly let the Master do what needs to be done in our lives so that He can use us, it will bring us and others great joy. I delight in taking a spoonful of peanut butter and joyously savoring it. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, I find people desiring to joyously take time to be in my presence. I know it is because I strive to remain in {His} presence that others are drawn to me. It is not because of what I am, but because of Who I belong to.

In closing, don’t be discouraged if God is still working on getting you to the place in your life where His glory can shine in you. This is a lifetime process. None of us have arrived. My prayer is that God will continue shelling, crushing and smoothing areas of my life that are not in total surrender to Him. Meanwhile, I look forward to the time when His work is finished and we all will rejoice in hearing Him say – Bon Appetite!

Copyright © 2004 Jane E. Morin

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