This morning Bella’s Transitional Kindergarten class delivered the chapel message for the lower school at The First Academy. Dressed in chef hats and aprons, Bella and her class acted out a skit that explained our part in God’s kingdom. The Master Chef—a boy named Kipton—played  the role of God. He asked all the other bakers to join with him in baking a cake.

Another student stepped forward, “But you don’t need us to bake the cake, You’re the Creator of the Universe You can do it all by yourself.”

“God” explained, “I don’t need you, but I want you to partner with me.” (that was the message—not exact wordage.) They each added an ingredient to the cake as God called them out.

“Who has the sugar?” God said. The girl with the sugar walked over and shook it into the bowl.

“Who has my butter?” Another student put her butter in the bowl. (Hmm…don’t skimp now)

“Who has my salt?” The boy with the salt, shook, shook, shook, and shook his salt into the bowl. (Over kill…Yuck!)

They mixed it all together and popped it into the Master oven.

It was a brilliant way to illustrate our part in the work God gives us to do. It made me realize how we have a tendency to get it wrong. We can believe the lie God needs me. He needs my money, time, energy, talents, and knowledge, in order to help someone or reach people for Jesus Christ; but here’s the kicker…

He doesn’t.

He doesn’t need us at all. Think about it…the God who spoke the universe into existence needs little me? I’m a nobody.

Case in point, take the wisemen for example. They didn’t have anyone to share the news of Jesus’ birth. God plopped a star in the sky to lead them to Him. He wooed them by piquing their curiosity. Don’t you love that?

And God woos us too.

So, we should never believe God needs us. Satan uses that lie to trap us into pride, anxiety, fear, and exhaustion.

Here’s truth…

He wants us.  Now, isn’t that better?

And doesn’t that make you want to use your money, time, energy, talents, and knowledge for His glory?  He wants us to be willing to join with Him in the work He’s already prepared for us to do.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 English Standard Version.

Bella and I snuggled on the sofa last night to watch Cinderella. In the movie, Cinderella’s nasty stepmom gets rid of all the house help, and forces Cinderella to keep things in order. That is the true picture of a God who needs us to work for Him. We would be unloved, uncared for, and treated like a slave. Instead, we are His children, whom He loves and adores, and wants to work side by side with us in growing His kingdom.

So wipe that ash off your face Cinderella because you’re not a slave, instead you’re an adored child of the King.

As men line up like cattle buying their last minute, heart-shaped box of chocolates (you poor fellas… the pressure of it all), I hope that we take time to remember the God who wants to bake a cake with us. Let’s remember Who invented love to begin with. The Creator who can fill us with more joy than an expensive heart-shaped box of dark chocolates. (Don’t give me the cheap stuff hon.)

And just in case after reading all that, you’re still not feeling loved today. Here’s a love message from God Himself.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 New International Version.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, “nor heavenly rulers” neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NIV

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

“Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NIV