BAKERY INSTEAD OF BREAD
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Jul 28, 2024
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Acts 8:1-8
Psalm 66:1-7
John 6:35-40
Think of God’s blessings (from your relationship with Him) not just as someone handing you a loaf of bread but as somebody giving you a whole bakery. It is a blessing that comes with a responsibility. Yes, the bakery is the house of bread and because of this, it is a beautiful thing. From the moment you pass in front of a bakery, the sweet aroma of baked dough hits your nostrils and fills you with the desire to satisfy your hunger. You daydream about eating fresh bread with a chilled soft drink and all is well in the universe again. But when you enter into the bakery itself, you are greeted with heat that proceeds from the oven. The smell of oil and sweat added to the chorus of people and machines will only serve to heighten your discomfort. Being an entrepreneur is not as easy as it looks.
For a bakery to run, you need sacrifice, accountability and a lot of hard work mixed into every sweet loaf. This is both a blessing and a responsibility. Our relationship with God can feel this way. We pray we do good works, yet we have little or nothing to show for it. When people ask us, “Shey you pray? How come there is no evidence of your good works in your life?” I want to refer you to the words of the Acts of the Apostles. After Stephen was martyred, the other disciples were marked for death. They all fled from Jerusalem into the neighbouring towns and villages. Something interesting happens here: “Those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News” (Acts 8:4). They didn’t stop their mission because they were on the run. They did not allow their misfortune to turn to anger, and neither did they yield to defeat. They realised that they are on the run because God’s word needs to spread, and they cannot afford a silo mentality where they are trying to survive.
Even in adversity, God is speaking to us—He is pointing us in a direction that would change our lives and the lives of others who we shall minister to. So instead of settling for a loaf of bread each day, God may be handing you a bakery. We must grow as Christians and growth is painful. Because it is imperceptible, we do not realise how painful it is. You see a baby that is teething—they cry, they scratch their gums and are uncomfortable because growth is taking place. Are you adjusting to accommodate the changes that are taking place in your life? Position yourself to receive the blessings that are coming your way—know too that these blessings will come with responsibilities.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, you never leave your children to their means and devices, take absolute control of my life. Take control of all the uncomfortable aspects of my life (my academics, career, marriage, parenting, singleness, consecrated life). Help me to go above and beyond the call of duty in serving others and represent you well in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord, help me to see the blessing in my situation. Help me to walk with my eyes fixed on You and my heart set on doing the will of Your Son, in the way that leads to Eternal life. Amen.
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