Bread of Life

I heard a speech about breadmaking today, and a comment by the speaker provided me with an image for life. The speaker made a comment that although it can seem like a long time to make bread, a lot of the time is spent waiting: either for the dough to rise, or the bread to bake.

At times in our life, we are seeking answers to questions, blessings, forgiveness, or any number of things. There is usually work that we have to put in to make this happen. To make bread, you have to mix the ingredients, knead the dough, and punch it down - and it is often important to follow these instructions exactly. If get the yeast to hot, it will kill it and your bread won't rise. When seeking answers or blessings, we also have to put in effort: study, prayer, and making changes to our lifestyle.

But just as important is the waiting. During the times we are waiting when making bread, important changes are taking place - the bread is rising or it is baking. Without these changes, the bread will either be solid as a brick, or just another lump of dough. Sometimes, in our lives, we need to wait or have patience for the blessings, answers, or changes we seek. Often, there is a transformation or a change in conditions that we don't see; however, the Lord is aware of these conditions, and even guiding them, so we can be made into what He wants us to be.

Although this understanding doesn't make it easier to have patience, it does help me to understand that as long as I do what I can and should do, the Lord will guide and take care of the rest to bring me the answers and blessings He has promised.

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