S’MORES and Jesus?
S’mores? Count me in!! The thought of these bring back some good memories from my youth! Campfire stories, youth group camp in summer, chocolate!
As we head into the next season of year I am excitedly planning for some camping, but most importantly intentional time in nature away from the hustle and bustle of life. There is something about camping that is so peaceful and calming, bugs aside! And my version of camping is as some would call GLAMPING! As a mom, our lives never stop, it is with this we must be intentional in every moment of calm. This is my mission currently, learning to be intentional with every opportunity, and set aside procrastination, and use each moment to pour into the lives of my children. S’more like Jesus and less like me. I do love this saying, and often get the song More Like Jesus by Kristian Stanfill stuck in my head. Our focus should not be that of external but internal, we should be focused on God and the relationship we hold with Him. Something I lose sight of far too often before God smacks my reality right back to realistic! Ok, ok, I don’t actually get smacked, but rather have a rear view mirror check. God is so good at holding me accountable, because I seek and as Him too! I don’t want to waste a second on this earth without a Christ-centered intentional focus. Now, I am of human kind, and I like every one else am no where near perfect. But, isn’t God amazing?! He knows this and yet loves us even more! His grace is sufficient even for the worst of sinners! I am so grateful to be able to rest in this and have peace.
John 3:30 ” He must become greater; I must become less.”
So, what does Gods grace and a Christ Centered focus have to do with S’mores saying or snack?
I can think back to youth group camp one summer too many years ago to claim. We were all sat around the campfire for our nightly Bible time, and a leader began handing us each items of S’mores. As he handed us items, he told us a story, the story I am going to share with you….
There is theology contained in a S’more he said. I remember thinking maybe food-ology, but theology?
The graham cracker is the base he said, this is the first part of the foundation. It represents the foundation of your faith. 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” The graham cracker I have just given you represents the fact that our foundation is only the beginning and you have to build on that foundation in order to fully develop your faith.
Then he handed us the marshmallow. He said, this marshmallow as they are now are only partly ready to receive the Lord. It takes some work to get them where they are needed. For the smore, this means heating up the marshmallows to soften them so they can receive the chocolate. If we think about our hearts as the marshmallows, we have to prepare our hearts to receive God. We cannot do that alone and have to understand how God helps us prepare our hearts to receive Him.
Deuteronomy 30:6 “The Lord your God will cleanse your heart and the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love him with all your heart, soul, and so you may live!”
God please such an important role in softening our hearts, if only you will just give yourself to Him.
He is the fire that allows us to be softened to receive His gifts. God sent Jesus to prepare us for Him and just as we apply the fire to the marshmallows so it is ready for the chocolate, Jesus applies the fire to us in preparation to receive the Word.
The chocolate is the center of the smore. Just as God is the center of our faith. When the chocolate is put into the hot marshmallows, it begins to melt and becomes one with the marshmallows. When we allow Jesus to enter our heart he becomes part of everything that we are and want to be in our faith. Once we make ourselves vulnerable to God’s love and allow him to enter into our hearts, we reap the benefit of God’s protection. The protection for the faithful is the last piece of the smore….the graham cracker top.
Proverbs 2:7-8 says, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.”
When we put all of the parts of the smore together we have a complete picture of what it takes to begin our faith, accept the Lord, and receive the gifts of His love and protection.
I have yet to ever make a S’MORE the same again, this is an analogy I love to use time and again with my children, children at church and simply utilize in any aspect of S’MORE creating. My youth Pastor I know felt like he didn’t get through to any of us during s’mores time, silly teens and food! However, I have held close to this theology and have not forgotten its purpose.
So, join me beside the campfire? Live intentionally, reflect on God’s grace and melt your heart into Him. If you feel like a softening marshmallow, but aren’t sure you have received Christ as your Savior–come melt into chocolate with me–click the link to be sure, we are talking eternity here and I don’t want to miss another fireside campfire chat without you up there!
