The Waffle Lesson

Below is an object lesson I wrote for my daughter’s Missionette class, so the examples are juvenile and relevant to middle-schoolers, but I hope we can all find and apply a piece to ourselves.

A lot of times we organize our life like a waffle. We put our family in one square, school in another, dance class in another. We may act the same in one square as another or we may act totally different. Here is a square for friends, here is a square for boys, here is a square for enemies.

One day, we get “saved” and we try to shove Jesus into an empty square. Maybe we add a church square too. But our waffle squares never mix. If I have a fight with my mom in the family square, then I go to the school square and forget all about it. I get into trouble in science class, but later in my friend square, I laugh about it. Then, I see some girl who used to be in my friend square go over to my boy square and start flirting with the boy I like. So, I beat her up, yell at him, go home, eat dinner and get ready for bed. Then, just before I close my eyes, I remember my Jesus square. I say a minute-long generic prayer about all my problems and go to sleep.

That is how it is sometimes. But, is that how it is supposed to be? No. When I gave my life to Christ, I gave Him the WHOLE waffle. I died to self (Mark 8:34-35) and told Him that He could live THRU me -- He could use my body, my mouth, my brain -– for HIS glory. So, Jesus doesn’t get a square. Jesus is the syrup. He comes and fills EVERY square.

When Jesus fills up the family square, then HE lives obedient to my parents inside my body. Jesus showed ultimate obedience to authority/parents when He died on the cross, so I know that He can do the dishes, clean my room and speak respectfully THRU me.

When Jesus fills up the friend square, suddenly I am a good influence on my friends. I don’t follow them to R-rated movies, I don’t curse, drink, smoke, skip school or act mean. Jesus was the ultimate example of love -– He died for His friends in order to give them life. So, I know He can be a great friend THRU me.

When Jesus fills up the boy square, suddenly I have pure thoughts about boys. I don’t want boys to sin in their thoughts or actions because of me. So, I dress modestly, speak kindly and encourage them in their Christian walk. Jesus is the ultimate bridegroom, so I know that He can live purity THRU me.

I know that Jesus has a plan for my future, so I don’t have to fight for it! He will live the perfect life THRU me if I let Him fill up all my squares.

…We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10