The Whole Pie
I love pie. I don't recall a time that I have ever turned down a piece of pie. I don't fully trust people who feel otherwise about it… If I’m being completely honest. It’s so versatile! The crust is just a canvas that complements endless fillings. There's really something for everyone. God has something for everyone, too! His relationship with each person is as classic as a cherry pie, yet as unique as a zucchini pie with goat cheese.
One piece, two pieces, dare I say three? Content. Conversely, after eating a whole pie, you would book it to the Tums and fall into a sugar coma. The discomfort of it all would be too much to handle. The term “too much of a good thing” applies. Unfortunately, being in the presence of God can be uncomfortable, too. It seems like we are made in a way that we must build a taste for His glory. With food, your stomach will expand time and time again when you overindulge, and eventually you have the capacity for more food. Can we do this with Jesus? We should ask ourselves: “Can I expand my capacity for His presence (over time)?” After all, He is like the whole pie, and the term “too much of a good thing” does not apply to Him.
On our walk, things may come to light that cause the discomfort we feel in His presence. Being exposed to His holiness will make you realize your shortcomings. We still hold on to shame, even though shame can only live in the past. We have been assured, “his mercies never come to an end; they are new every day”(Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV). We may feel inadequate instead of empowered. How many times has God called you, and you catch yourself questioning if you are the best person for the calling? We may even feel like we overindulged and should have shared more of this amazing thing with others. We let our human doubts and downfalls impede the development of the relationship. To overcome this, we need to recognize His grace. The Bible gives this encouragement: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 ESV). He already knows everything about you, every mistake, and He STILL wants your companionship. How might we expand our capacity for Him? I think it will look different for everyone. Maybe it’s being content in silence. There's a slice. Maybe it’s acting when we are called to action. Another slice. Maybe it’s prioritizing prayer. The plate is getting pretty full. I believe that the more time we spend with God, each of us will be able to answer what we could be doing more of to fulfill the relationship. And once you've had your fill of the Spirit, you can recline at the table with Jesus.