Cheese and Crackers
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.“
Many years ago, a man worked hard, saved his money, and finally had just enough funds to sail to the United States. The voyage required two or three weeks to cross the ocean. With little money left for food, he bought a suitcase and filled it with cheese and crackers. During the long voyage, the other passengers went to the large dining room to eat their gourmet meals. Meanwhile, the poor man would go over in the corner and eat his cheese and crackers. This went on day after day and he could smell the delicious food being served in the dining room. To make matters worse, he could hear the other passengers comment about how full they were, and how they would have to go on a diet after this trip. Sometimes he’d lie awake at night and imagine how wonderful it would be just to have a little taste of the expensive food. Then one day, a man came up to him and said, “Sir, I notice that you are always over there eating your cheese and crackers at mealtimes. Why don’t you come into the dining hall and eat with us?” The traveler’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Sir, I had only enough money to buy the ticket. I don’t have any extra money to purchase those fancy meals.” The other passenger raised his eyebrows in surprise. He shook his head and said, “Did you not realize that your meals were included in the price of the ticket? Your meals have already been paid for!”
This unfortunate man represents many Christians today. It saddens my heart as we travel across this country and see so many people who are barely hanging on to their experience with God. In our opening scripture, Jesus said that it was the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom! So why are so many people lacking when our Heavenly Father is ready and willing to give us all that we need? Just like the man in our story, we fail to see the value of what we possess. As Christians we have access to everything that Jesus paid for at Calvary, but we will never enjoy these benefits as long as we keep eating our cheese and crackers. Are you weary from your diet of worry, fear, anxiety, depression, oppression, bitterness, etc?
The man was apparently resigned to the fact that he could never enjoy himself like the ones around him. Do you look at others and long to enjoy the blessings of God like them? Our Heavenly Father does not favor one of His children over another. As the old song says, “It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.”
Hard times demand healing remedies and cheese and crackers won’t cure it my friend. We need fresh nourishment from the Giver of Life. As we end our time together, I encourage you to examine your spiritual diet. What kind of cheese and crackers are you eating?