Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I like ice cream, but that’s because it’s cold sugar. Basically, I like sugar.
On my recent flight to Kenya, I was served a few in-flight meals. One of the packets that came with the pre-packaged utensils was simply labeled, “Sugar.” I looked at the package and said (out loud), “Yum! Sugar!” (A quick interjection from Sheree as I edit this. Consistently, my husband has capitalized “sugar” and “ice cream” through this entire post. I can only infer that this is his subconscious mind emphasizing the blog title…)
During my flight from Zurich to Kenya, I noticed, over my right shoulder, an African woman reading a Bible. Later, I noticed once again that she was still reading the Bible. Still later, she was reading the Bible even more. I also noticed that she only did two other things during the flight – eat the meal and sleep. When she was awake, she was reading the Bible. While others around me were watching the in-flight videos, she was reading the Bible.
This caused me to pause a moment. I like sugar. It’s sweet and I really enjoy it. I have an “ice cream radar” and can tell you where most ice cream shops are located around the country. But this woman really enjoyed the Bible. To her it was sweet. In fact, the Bible itself talks of the sweetness of God’s Word in Psalm 19:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with airline videos or other such entertainment to pass the time (depending on the content of course). However, how much sweeter it is to spend that time reading the very words from God Almighty. I think that our enemy has been effective in providing alternative sweeteners, things that are appealing but replace the true and real sweetness in this life. This was a great reminder to me personally to keep my mind and heart focused on God and His sweetness.
Just a thought for you? Where do you find your true “sweets?” Are there things that are sugar substitutes for your attention? Things that cheapen the real? The author of Hebrews said it like this in Hebrews 12:1-2:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Read God’s Word my friends and enjoy the sweets!