Lining Cake Tins: “Prepared for Purpose”

Lining Cake Tins: “Prepared for Purpose”

Scripture: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

I have always believed that the Humanitarian World is a school and can give a sincere worker a bunch of life changing lessons. And every mission trip or field trip has been a blessing for me. Bangladesh taught me a hard lesson in preparation. Before the cyclones struck, our department worked in tandem with the shelter folks to help procure and stock stuff to line bamboo shelters with tarpaulins, lay sandbags, and reinforce walls. There was no doubt at all that the storms would still come, the winds would howl, and the heavens would pour down in torrents, but these simple steps saved countless lives.

Now, after having been out of work for a while I have turned to my favourite chores -Baking and cooking. And in my baking life, I now line my cake tins, muffin trays, tart shells and lemon loaf pans with paper and a touch of oil, knowing that without this preparation, the delicacy would stick and break apart. It is a small ritual, but vital -because the batter needs a safe place to grow and become what it is meant to be.

And a few days back as I sat on my bean bag with a hot mug of freshly brewed Arabica Coffee, I began to think how my God prepares me in the same way. His Word, His discipline, even His gentle corrections are all ways of lining my heart so that I will hold together when life heats up. Without that preparation, I might break or cling to things that destroy me.

Someone who observes me is my dear wife and she can vouch for the fact how often, I fought against His preparation, thinking it was unnecessary. But looking back, I see how every struggle, every moment in the field, every tear I wept was shaping me for this moment -for the next excellent work, the next season of service, the next chance to show compassion.

Just as the cake or muffin requires a lined tin to rise well, I need God’s boundaries, His guidance, His presence to fulfil my true purpose.

When I carefully fold parchment into the corners of my tin, I remember those shelters in Bangladesh and how God, in His great mercy, lines my life with love so that I can grow strong and serve well.

I could sum up my thoughts in this way if you permit me to do so...

You line my path with perfect care,
Prepare my heart to love and share.
Within Your plan, I rise complete,
A purpose formed through grace so sweet.