June '18 Newsletter - "Faith and Lobsters"

Did you know that lobsters used to be the food of the poorest classes
and prisoners? Now it’s one of the most expensive common foods you can
get. A delicacy.

Much of this has to do with supply and demand. In those times, there
was so much lobster in the local fishing communities it was cheap and
people were probably as sick of it as college kids get of ramen
noodles. But as time passed, the novelty of the unique creature spread
into the mainland. As the demand rises and there aren’t enough for
everybody, the market allows those willing to pay the most for it to
enjoy. That, and you pay for the cost of transporting the creature far
away from its natural environment.

When things get so expensive, it makes us curious, and when we spend a
lot of money on something, we treat it as though we worked hard to
deserve it, cherishing every bite.

Isn’t that strange? How much people shell out for prisoners’ food?

God’s grace, forgiveness, love and providence are free, save the cost
of accepting it. It is the sustenance of prisoners and the poor, but
also of the free and of every class. With it being so common, though,
do you walk with it as if it were as common as a microwave burritos or
do you savor the fact that God’s presence in your life is better than
buttery lobster at every meal?

When David was writing Psalm 23 from the valley of the shadow of death
and said, “you prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies; . . . my cup overflows,” you don’t think God was serving
Velveeta and Kool Ade do you? By no means! God was serving, and
continues to serve a perfectly balanced meal including perfectly
prepared portions for exactly what we need to keep going through the
valley and on toward His kingdom. And He’s got enough for everyone.
And it will continue to be free. It’s up to us how much we savor it.

This month, sink your teeth into the Word, be fed. And cherish the
feast that has been prepared for you as a member of the royal
priesthood of everyday saints. See you at the watering hole.