Last week during church, the sermon was focused on being in full community with God—not just checking a box. It’s easy to go through the motions in our spiritual lives. We might read a quick devotional, say a short prayer, and call it a day. But when we’re truly desperate for a connection with God, we’ll put in the effort to fully engage in that relationship. It means making time for deeper prayer, spending more time in His word, and being intentional about carrying His presence with us throughout the day. It was a powerful message about deepening our relationship with God, but something our worship leader, Heather Oden, said at the end really stuck with me: "When we're desperate enough, we'll get in the kitchen and figure it out. Crumbs aren't enough."
Heather’s quote perfectly summed up the sermon, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it has a much broader application to our lives. This week's thoughts are about recognizing when we're settling for crumbs in different areas of our lives and the importance of getting in the kitchen to figure it out.
In Addition to Our Spiritual Life…
Crumbs Aren’t Enough in Our Relationships
The same concept applies to our relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. How often do we give those we care about just crumbs of our attention, time, or energy? Maybe we send a quick text, give a distracted “uh-huh” during a conversation, or assume they know we care without really showing it. Crumbs might keep the relationship going, but they don’t allow it to thrive. When we value someone, we need to be willing to invest in the relationship fully. That means setting aside time to truly connect, being present in conversations, and making sure our actions reflect our words. Just like in the kitchen, relationships require effort, and the end result is worth it.
Crumbs Aren’t Enough in Our Work
At work, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of doing just enough to get by. Maybe we’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or just going through a rough patch. But when we only give crumbs to our work, we miss out on the joy that comes from doing our best and seeing the results of our efforts. Sometimes, it’s about pushing ourselves to get in the kitchen and figure it out—whether that’s tackling a difficult project, learning a new skill, or finding ways to be more effective. The more we invest in our work, the more we get out of it, both personally and professionally.
Crumbs Aren’t Enough in Pursuing Our Passions
Finally, think about the areas of your life where you have passions or dreams. Are you giving them your full attention, or just the crumbs left over after everything else? Maybe you have a hobby you love but rarely make time for, or a dream you’ve always wanted to pursue but haven’t taken the first step. If we only give crumbs to our passions, they’ll never grow into what they could be. Sometimes, we need to be desperate enough to carve out time, put in the effort, and fully pursue what makes us come alive.
That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge…
Take a look at the areas in your life where you might be settling for crumbs. Whether it’s your spiritual life, relationships, work, or passions, ask yourself if you’re giving them the full attention they deserve. If you find that you’ve been scraping by with crumbs, it’s time to get in the kitchen and figure it out. Invest your time, energy, and focus into what truly matters, and watch how the full meal can satisfy you in ways that crumbs never could.
I’m thankful you took the time to read this, that you choose to work, and that you’re part of what makes this world amazing.
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