The Cut, The Squeeze, The Sugar

Still making limeade at the Sanchez house.  As I made a big jar with the last of the limes tonight I started thinking about all the limes go through to become limeade.  And again I see the parallels between what I do with those limes and what God does with our lives.  In the end both end up sweeter.

First comes the cut.  I slice the limes right through the middle.  I open them up and expose what’s inside.  Seeds, juice, pulp, all of it.  When we open ourselves up to God and confess our sins to Him it’s as if we were cut open and exposed.  But we have his promise that he’ll forgive and cleanse us when we do.  

Next is the squeeze.  I squeeze out the juice.  I pour out what is good and useful from the limes and dispose of the rest.  When we serve in God’s kingdom we are squeezed.  We are tested.  We pour out the good and utile.

And then comes the sugar.  Adding sugar changes the entire concept of what lime juice is and what it tastes like.  It causes a radical change from sour to sweet.  From harsh to pleasing.  As we receive the sweet healing and grace that comes from God our very DNA is transformed from our old sinful selves to people who look day by day more and more like Jesus.  And we go through a radical change from sour to sweet.  From harsh to pleasing.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12-13

On the other hand, if we admit our sins-make a clean breast of them-he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.

 1 John 1:9

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18