I’m sure this won’t come as a surprise to many, but I have a thing for peanut butter. I can eat it 101 different ways – crunchy or creamy, gritty or smooth, even pb powder, traditional pb&j, on pancakes, with a banana/apple/strawberries/blueberries, replace jelly with Nutella for a pb&n, top cereal with it, on toast, scrambled eggs with my peanut butter smothered pancakes, or top peanut butter and jelly toast with an over easy egg, oatmeal and granola, added to smoothies, by the spoonful, of course the all popular chocolate and peanut butter combo, top a baked sweet potato, even add cottage cheese into the pb line up (I know – just try it though), and mix it into some ice cream for next level creations just to name a few!
If I ever open a restaurant, it will be called Peanut Bretter & Jelly. And we will serve the spectrum of nut butters and fruit spreads (as well as real fruit) on a variety of different breads, my mom’s peanut butter middle cookies, monster cookies, peanut butter brownies, and regular peanut butter softies, among other things. We will have to have an allergy warning on the door.
So, to say that peanut butter is one of my favorite things is a slight understatement. For the case of today’s message, I want to introduce you to a snack so delightful, it might be considered divine.
Start with two slices of hearty bread – the wider loaf style is better and it needs to have some texture and personality, no plain white or wheat here. Make sure to lay them out exactly how they came out of the bag so they go back together perfectly, just like they were cut.
In a bowl, put a heaping pile of Jif or Skippy Natural Peanut butter. We’re not talking a macro-conscious 2 tbsp; I mean a couple of spoonfuls. Next, we mix a serving of protein powder to beef up this heavenly morsel.
Now that we have our base, we can spread it on the bread, splitting it between the two slices evenly. Then, we slice a banana and cover one piece of bread laying the circles in neat rows overlapping them slightly. With the bananas in place, drizzle honey over the top of the bananas in a uniformed pattern being careful not to overdo it. Finally, the sprinkling of a generous yet responsible amount of cinnamon powder to cover the no glazed bananas. To complete the ensemble, place the other smothered piece of bread on top of the mountainous decadence just created. You’re ready to enjoy your sweet nutty little miracle.
Because the copious amount of peanut butter will be so thick in the middle of the sandwich, it SHOULD squish out a little and the honey might drip some as well. This means it’s just right. The peanut butter on both breads will keep the banana slices in place when eating. Be sure to eat halfway down, then around the edges leaving the last bite a center piece of truly a bit of heaven. You won’t be able to finish this without an ice-cold glass of milk!
WHEW!!!! You know you want one. Try it; you’ll thank me later.
Now for the lesson. In scripture, when God’s people were living enslaved in Egypt, God promised to deliver God’s people to a better land that would be rich and plentiful. Understand this: Egypt sucked, everyone complained, but no one knew any different. And this, ladies and gents, is where we all find ourselves during life and many never get out. Some do and go right back.
In Egypt, we have all we need but live under the oppressive rule of an evil dictator. For us, it’s SELF. God promises something better but requires a sight unseen trust. For the Israelites, and us, the promise land is “a land flowing with milk and honey.”
Everywhere in scripture, honey is a treat. It’s a sweet comparison or weighty reward or extremely enticing offer. Milk is essential for life. Babies must have and CRAVE milk. And adults would also need its nutrient dense sustenance, especially in that day.
So, how AMAZING would a place be that was FREE FLOWING with MILK and HONEY – the essentials AND the bonus goodies? How would you like to live in a place with all your needs met AND have more than you need?
I don’t know where you stand in your faith, but I am convinced that life was meant to be lived outside of Egypt. But, I also get that it’s hard to leave Egypt for various and legit reasons. And I understand that sometimes, after leaving, it takes a minute (or 40 years) to get to the promised land so it’s easy to grow disheartened, want to go back, or even give up and return.
Today, I simply want to communicate there’s so much more in store. I want to encourage you to stay the course, run the race, and go get you some milk and honey…then add a lot of peanut butter, a banana, and cinnamon and make a sandwich of divine nature!
Brett
PS – let me know if you try my sandwich and how you like it!
PPS – read in Exodus and Deuteronomy about the Israelite’s leaving Egypt and struggle in the desert and venture to the Promise Land.
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