Soup Gone Bad

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

Matthew 13:33

Ruined! After twelve hours of simmering soup, this “soup girl” is stewing! I just ruined a healthy and hearty pot of soup that I was excited to serve my family. I had bought a bag of at least sixteen colorful bean varieties that I could mix with a few leftovers and a can of tomatoes. I was feeling very domestic and “Betty Crocker–like.” There is something about a big pot of soup on the stove that warms me inside and out, but this batch has me steaming.

It’s my fault because I did not read the directions. You see, there was a little bag of spices enclosed with the beans. After soaking the beans overnight and rinsing them in the morning, I added fresh water and dumped the spices into the soup. However, hours later when I tasted a spoonful, I cringed. It was bitter! I discovered after the fact that I was not supposed to dump all the spices from the little bag into the soup immediately and simmer it all day. A lot of spices went a long way toward ruining what could have been a tasty meal because my timing and amounts were not correct.

In Matthew 13:33, Jesus talks about a little yeast permeating every part of the dough. The bitter spices I added permeated every part of the soup negatively. What a simple reminder to me that as believers in Christ, we are good spices; the hope we carry in Christ is the essential ingredient this world needs to recognize. He grows His kingdom in us individually as well as throughout the world. He permeates every part of our soul. His recipe is a sure success if we follow Him closely!

God can use the humblest effort on our part to grow His kingdom. Let’s be open to sharing with others how our experiences of abiding with Him have changed our lives.