Hosanna Restoration Church

Have you ever had something in your hand and tried to pick up something else that required two hands but you did not want to put down one thing to pick up the other? Have you ever ended up dropping both things as a result? I can personally answer both of those questions with a resounding “yes!”

Our oldest son was constantly carrying a little car or some other thing in one hand and never wanting to put it down in order to use both hands for something else. He in turn passed that on to our second son. It took a lot of coaxing to get them to see that it would be beneficial to let go of one thing in order to grab another. Guess they came by it naturally!

You do not have to think too much to come up with a spiritual application of this picture. Time after time in the Bible we see God explaining to the people their need to let one thing go in order to enjoy His presence. As we read we see the destruction that comes from refusing to let go and the benefits that result of obeying what the Lord says. In this scripture God tells Israel that all they have to do is put away their idols and He will live among them forever.

God told Ezekiel to make sure they understood what the temple would be like. He pointed it out in great detail. He wanted them to see that it would be well worth letting go of those old things.

The fact is that until we are able to see how useless the old things are, we just are not ready to work on anything new. Once my sons saw the benefit of dropping the one thing in order to pick up the better thing they were quick to go for it.

It is no wonder that the Lord emphasized the benefits of following Him. When Jesus came He told the people about the kingdom of God. He told them about how no one who gave up anything in this lifetime in order to follow Him would be sorry. He said that they would receive a hundred fold now and in the end eternal life with Him. He promised them cake and the icing. So many people do not realize that there is cake to go with the icing.

Believe me, I have sampled the icing of a cake or two, but to be honest just icing loses my attention pretty quickly. I think the same thing happens to many Christians. When all that is available is icing it is nice to know it is there, but where is the cake?

Jesus also pointed out that there would be troubles ahead, but they could rejoice as soon as they saw them because He had overcome them all. Hey, a cake looks strange when you just have the ingredients setting on the counter. Then when you throw them all together, it just looks like a glob of ooze. Then you stick it in the fire and amazingly it comes out looking good and ready for the icing. Life will involve mixing and some fire, but God works it all out!

At each step along the way, you have to let go of the previous form. No matter how much you may like to sample the cake batter, if you want cake you will need to move on. Are you ready to move on with the Lord? If you don’t know Him, let go of the past and receive Him as your savior. If you do know him but are not experiencing His fullness, let go of whatever is holding you back. All we need to do is let go and allow God’s presence to finish the cake we are baking. The icing is a done deal, but don’t miss the cake.