Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Cookies and the glory of God

Two people are in a cookie ministry within the local church. The first person is fairly young and energetic and has been part of the cookie ministry for sometime. He on this particular day is trying to decide if he will come on Saturday to participate in the cookie baking. As he ponders the decision he finally concludes ok I'll go, first because I might get some brownie points with the leadership and second since I am good at it I can instruct and then get applauded by others. So he comes but in his heart and to others around him, he grumbles, gripes and complains. He criticizes the plan for the ministry and then talks about his experience and how they used to do this in his former church. But he comes away from the event as very instructive and productive, the cookies are excellent and in large number.
When God looks down from heaven on the heart of this person what does He see? God basically got no glory from this event because it wasn't done in a humble dependance on Him. There was very little joy in this person's attitude.

The second person was older and had arthritis in hands and knees so that walking around was a huge chore. This person has always loved going and cooking, sorting, and fellowshipping with others in the ministry. Now before he goes he prays that the pain will let up so that he can be a part of the cookie ministry team. The next day there is no pain and he goes to bake cookies. He is very slow, inefficient and his production is a quarter of what the first person in this story was able to accomplish. However those around this person are constantly being encouraged, uplifted and prayed for during the time together. The second person is depending on God and not self.
Now when God looks down from heaven on the heart of this person what does He see? Well of course you know that He sees a person who whether this person eats or drinks he does so to the glory of God.

When you take on a task in ministry, work or home, which one of these people do you most identify? Is it about your glory or God's glory?