Spirit Filled Baking

Spirit Filled Baking—A Divine Process!
II Peter 1:5-9
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."

Baking is a hobby at our house.  Sometimes we follow the recipe, other times we simply “experiment.”  A little extra of this, an additional ingredient, or sometimes substitutions in the spirit of “healthy alternatives.”  Often when the adding or subtracting is completed and the masterpiece is baking, there is “clean-up” of dishes, the counters, and the floor.  As the product is completed, the kitchen seems like a warzone, rather than an artist’s studio.

This process reminds me of the character development a person experiences over a lifetime.  A person’s spirit is built through additions of faith virtues like goodness, and additional knowledge, just enough self-control, and perseverance to raise the Spirit during hard times.  It is the relationship struggles or financial difficulties that occur which add an intensity to life that can be compared to the heat of cooking or baking.  This enhancement can be part of the progression of growth to grow our Spirit.  This is not an easy process, or one to be taken lightly. It is the refinement through the struggle that allows a deeper relationship with Christ.  It is God’s perfect timing that adds Spiritual depth to make one effective and productive as His child. We are challenged to mindfully frame life through His words and actions.  It is this Spirit-driven life that motivates each of us to be about God’s business daily with a desire to “let our light so shine before others that they may see your good deeds and give thanks to the Father!” (Matthew 5:16)

4832 Pondering:
As you ponder the Godly attributes listed (faith,  goodness, knowledge of God, self-control, perseverance, mutual affection, love), how are you praying for God to “open your eyes and your heart” to grow these qualities in your life?