COWS INTO JELL-O
I was enjoying an after-dinner serving of orange Jell-O, my favorite flavor. For whatever reason, my mom decided this was the perfect time to educate me regarding the source of this dessert. Just as I was shoving a huge spoonful into my mouth, and eyeing the bowl for a second serving, she asked, “Do you know where Jell-O comes from?” At the age of ten, I had never contemplated the deep secrets of the universe, so the source of Jell-O still remained a mystery.
“No, enlighten me,” I replied. Actually, I said nothing, but simply shrugged.
“It comes from cows’ hooves. They grind them into powder, add water, and…” I didn’t hear another word. She lost me at “cows’ hooves.” I was traumatized by everything after that. I started thinking about our pet cow named “Elvis,” and that pushed me over the edge into a borderline nervous breakdown. OK, I’m exaggerating. At the age of ten, I paused, disgusted by her news, stared at the bowl, and then scooped up a second helping.
Consider this. If cows’ hooves can be made into a popular dessert, what else in God’s creation can he change? Suppose God can do anything about my failures and sin? Suppose he could transform a dyed-in-the-wool sinner like me (and you, by the way) into His beloved child? I think you know the answer.
First Samuel 10:6 contains a hidden gem concerning King Saul. Samuel the prophet had anointed Saul as king, but Saul didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity. Then God stepped in. Samuel prophesied, “The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you… and you will be changed into a different person.” Verse nine adds, “God changed Saul’s heart.” Perhaps you recall, Saul wasn’t exactly a paragon of moral excellence. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, God changed Saul from cows’ hooves into Jell-O. Sadly, later Saul chose to reject God. God doesn’t override our choices—we must cooperate with him in the transformation process.
God is in the heart-changing business. He can take the worst of us and transform us into his faithful servants. In the New Testament Jesus transformed another Saul, his worst enemy, into the apostle Paul, his greatest friend. And he can do the same for each of us. After all, if God can transform cows’ hooves into Jell-O, just think what he can do with you and me.
Principle: Like Saul, God can transform me into a different person.
Ponder:
How can I open myself up to the Lord, to prepare my heart for the changes he needs he needs to make in me?
What specific attitudes and habits do I need to set aside, to cooperate with God in this process?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study 1 Samuel 10:1-16.
Prayer: Lord, I know you are in the heart-changing business. Please change my heart. Reveal to me areas of my life I’m trying to control, and give me the power to cooperate with you in this process.
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