Monday, June 14, 2010

Day 165: Throwing Muffins... and other godly activities.

We need to have a serious talk about muffins.

Why muffins? Because everybody likes muffins. It's like parfaits, Labrador puppies, and the smell of clean laundry... it's unknowingly irresistible.

Muffins are also important. I had this startling realization the other night when I was praying for a good friend of mine and all I kept thinking about what a basket full of muffins. I thought I was having a breakdown and was in desperate need of some carbs or something, but low and behold that was not the case. As it turns out, God just really likes muffins.

I laughed and said to my friend in the middle of my prayer, "I know you already think I'm crazy so this isn't going to bother you, but I just keep seeing this basket full of muffins when I pray for your life." Then, it was like God sent a squirrel to hit me over the head with a giant nut of revelation.

Instantly I understood completely. "It's like this," I explained to my friend. "God had this recipe for your life. He brought you people that poured knowledge of the things of God into your life. Then He gave you the revelation of His Word, experiences, conversations, dreams, and visions (like the blueberries, eggs, and flour in a muffin recipe). Then there was this harsh clash of the things of God (like water in a muffin recipe) and then the things of this world (like the oil) in your life. Normally those two things don't go together (oil and water), but God used them to bring about so much good in your life. You struggled as God allowed those ingredients to mix together to make something so delicious. Then He poured out the sweetness of His Spirit into the recipe of your life and made it utterly irresistible to others."

[Note: I think God added a couple of "nuts" into the recipe of her life as well... I mean...after all, I am her friend. ;) ]

I finished explaining this part and then I saw muffin dough going into the little tins and being put into the oven. This the heat of the refining fire of God burning away any impurities (woah. Check out Malachi 3:1-3) . Then I saw the muffins come out and be placed in a basket, hot out of the oven. I told my friend that I then saw her pick up the basket of muffins and start giving the muffins out to people. Sometimes she would give them to strangers, sometimes to family, sometimes to friends, but always with joy.

I think this is how the seasons of our lives work. God uses certain people to pour Truth into our minds, words to ponder in our hearts, dreams, jobs, new relationships, etc. and it makes this beautiful treat. Sometimes (okay, oftentimes) we have no idea what He is doing (can I get an "Amen!"), but in the end everything just makes sense. Kind of like a muffin recipe...

Then we get to take that season/muffin of our life that God completes (Note:GOD completes the season...not you) and watch as He turns it into this irresistible, delectable, little nibble.

"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ, developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." -Philippians 1:6


Then we get to take that season of our lives, that God in His infinite sovereignty carried to full completion, and hand it out to others. That way, maybe things God did in you and through you will be done in them. Bill Johnson says it like this:

"Any time you've had a breakthrough in the things of the Lord, it automatically positions you in a place of authority to serve...if you've tasted victory, then you are positioned to serve people that very meal that the Lord gave you...the Grace that brought victory to you in that cancer situation, the grace that brought victory when everything looked like it was falling apart in business..." etc.

Basically, ole Bill is talking about throwing muffins here. :)

Examples of "Muffin Throwing":
  • Praying that others come to the realization of the Truth of God's Word (like maybe you did at one time).
  • Telling someone about a particular situation in which God really impacted your life.
  • Talking to teenagers about your horrific dating life and how God redeemed it (*cough...yes, this is one of my muffins) and that He can do the same for them.
Basically, in humility and joy, gifting people a full, cooked, sweet recipe of the things of God in little snacks [note: I did not say a whole meal. Nobody wants a lecture. Think...mini-muffin...everybody loves mini-muffins! And people always end up eating like 13 mini-muffins and not even realizing it. If you have done this know that you have a friend at this blog.].

Then, as they eat of wisdom and revelation that has gone through the heat, you can say, "TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD." -Psalm 34:8

Man, I love muffins.

[note: This story freakishly resembles a dream had by Julie Meyer in her book Invitation to Encounter: A Journey Into Dreams and I didn't even realize it! The book rocks and you should probably read it. The Lord gave Julie fruit... I got muffins. What can I say.