Bread Pans

A few months ago, I saw the perfect bread pans.   They were supposed to cook evenly, clean nicely and produce a wonderful loaf of bread.  I had to have them.   Then my bread would be great.  I thought about them, planned for them and saved for them.   Every time I made bread I kept thinking about how much better life would be with my new bread pans.   Eventually the day came when I had saved to buy these bread pans.  I carefully calculated my order, checked it twice and purchased them online (because shopping with 3 little ones is next to impossible in real stores).   The box arrived!   I couldn't help but imagine my fresh bread that I would make. In fact, I didn't even wait.  I made bread right away.    I don't think I even washed the pans.    That bread was one of the worst batches I have made.   It was dense and heavy.   No one seemed all that excited about eating any of it.  I still have a loaf in the freezer but am hesitant to thaw it out because it was so bad.   Needless to say, I was super disappointed.   Granted I don't think it was the bread pans that caused the bad bread, but they are not the miracle workers that I envisioned them to be.

John Calvin talks about our hearts being idol factories.  Do you see how I made these bread pans my idol?   Did you see the progression from having great bread to a great life?    When my bread pans "failed", I was dissatisfied.  Not just with them but with life.   Why?  Because I had allowed the bread pans to be my desire; that which would give me fulfillment and pleasure.  

Jeremiah says "The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately sick; who can understand it? (17:9).    I am so thankful though that God does not leave us.  The Holy Spirit is working in me to will and to do what is pleasing to Him.

Have you had any "bread pan" experiences lately?  What is God teaching you about the idols in your life?  Do you need to repent of any idols?  God is merciful and will forgive.  What a gracious God we serve!