Chocolate Overload

A pregnant friend of mine went to a bagel bakery this morning and ordered a chocolate chip bagel, and they asked her if she would like the new chocolate chip cream cheese to go with it.  She replied, “Sure why not”… since no one was really around.  A couple of minutes later, the bakery got busy and her order was ready.  The employee came out and yelled, “Chocolate chip bagel with chocolate chip cream cheese and a chocolate milk… aka someone who really likes chocolate”.  She walked up to retrieve her order with a somewhat red face and walked out, but shamelessly.  It was probably a little embarrassing for everyone to hear her overly chocolaty order, but she got to enjoy the opportunity given to her, because she took it when given. 

Is our faith like that?  We have numerous opportunities daily to share with others what we really love, or simply to show love.  They may be sticky and difficult and sometimes embarrassing to share and show… but we have been given the opportunity to do so.  When given that opportunity, do we take it, or just pass it up because we don’t want others to hear, or we don’t want to embarrass ourselves or step out of our comfort zones. 

Sometimes, taking a risk in our faith hurts, but imagine if everything was easy.  What would the point be?  We would have no room to be challenged, to grow, to make mistakes, to learn.   Overcoming whatever “thing” we are put through, helps us to learn and grow in our faith, and to then pass that along to others.  It gives us a new perspective, a new way of thinking and conquering things. 

I was reading a book called, “The Great Divorce,” by C.S. Lewis, the other day, and read something that hits this right on the head.  “Will you come with me to the mountains?  It will hurt at first, until your feet are hardened.  Reality is harsh to the feet of shadows.  But will you come?”

We have something to hope for in this life.  Let’s share that with others, in the way we speak to them, the way we love them, and the way we act towards them.  It’s in no way going to be easy, I will be the first to admit.  I struggle very much with doing those things consistently… but we are told that it is not going to nor is it supposed to be easy.  It’s going to hurt, it’s going to grow us, and it’s going to strengthen us for more and more.  Leading us to giving Him the glory for the things He has strengthened us to do.

So… “Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

–Ephesians 5:15-20