With faith I can view the world through God’s power and not my own.
Yeast is considered one of the greatest inventions of humankind. Invented in prehistoric times, yeast was used as a way to preserve food.
And this was revolutionary. Because the production of yeast meant that bread could be produced and flour and grain preserved. The production of yeast meant that fruits and grains could be preserved in the form of alcohol. The production of yeast meant that milk could be preserved in the form of cheese and yoghurt. And later, the production of yeast contributed to the invention and manufacture of antibiotics. And this is significant.
Because yeast is a substance that is added to another substance, and in adding it to the other substance it makes the other substance better…
“He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’ Again He asked, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.’” (Luke 13:18-21).
And yeast does not work quickly. In manufacturing alcohol and cheese using yeast and fermentation, the process can take days or months or even years. And the amount of time that is invested in the fermentation process has a significant impact on the success of that process and on the taste of the product being produced. And that is significant.
Because Christ referred to yeast in His parable. And that yeast grows and as it grows it grows the thing it is added to and transforms it.
And I have been thinking today that such a thing is a truly wonderful miracle.
You see, faith is transformative. It can take time – days or weeks or months or years (or even a lifetime) – but faith transforms the soul. So, adding a little faith and waiting for the transformation is how things are grown and improved. And just as grains and fruits and milk are turned into bread and alcohol and cheese, so too is a weak soul made new in faith. So too are my limitations and my human frailties turned into something marvellous… And that transformation is the thing that makes everything different – better!
And it is that HOPE for the better that Christ is referring to. And to get there takes effort and discipline and commitment. And that HOPE for the future – the eternal future – drives everything. And in driving that, it is clear that everything is better for faith. Because with faith I can view the world through God’s power and not my own. And that means every obstacle is surmountable – because the Creator of the Universe cannot be defeated.
And knowing that I stand a little taller – perhaps made stronger by the yeast already in me…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.