Baking

I have been enjoying another episode of 'The Great British Bake-Off' this evening.  It was another tense round of delicious baked goods.  This week: crackers, chocolate teacakes and gingerbread 'constructions'.

 

The gingerbread 'houses' were particularly impressive: Buckingham Palace, a Roman Colosseum and Big Ben to name just a few. 

 

However, what really caught my attention was the crackers.

 

There was a lot of discussion and deliberation about whether or not yeast should be used in the dough.  Contestants were undecided about whether or not to add it, because it would make the dough rise and would perhaps prevent their crackers from achieving a distinctive 'crack' when snapped.

 

Because yeast changes things.

 

Mark Greene writes in 'Imagine' -

 

"Christ's transforming Spirit is intended not only to affect everything we do but all our being - mind, body, emotions, will, spirit - like yeast pervading the whole loaf.  whole-loaf Christianity rejoices in the senses [...] Whole-loaf, whole-life Christianity is honest, open, vulnerable.  It does not censor the agony of broken relationships, the bewilderment of unanswered questions, the struggle of work, the scandal of death, the impact of evil on ourselves or those around us.  In sum, whole-loaf, whole-life Christianity embraces the wonders and griefs of humanity in all its fullness in God's world."

 

Later on, he writes,

 

"The parable of the yeast adds another vital dimension: 'The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all the way through the dough.'  Yeast not only pervades the dough, yeast transforms it into something much tastier and much more satisfying - into bread." [emphasis mine]

 

When we encounter Jesus, we encounter something - someone - who changes us.  Someone who transforms us through the work of His Spirit.  Someone who transforms us into something better.

 

Paul describes the transforming work of the Holy Spirit like this -

 

"He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.  We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.  We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."

[Galatians 5:22-23 MSG]
 

 

This is the kind of transforming 'yeast' I want working through every area of my life.