Have you ever baked chocolate chip cookies with a small child? You pull up a chair, take down all the ingredients, and preheat the oven. Little hands “mix” the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda together. Within minutes, flour covers the countertop, floor, and child. 

   You add the eggs, one at a time. Finally, the batter is mixed. 

   “Do you want to add the chocolate chips?” you ask. 

   “Me do! Me do!” 

   You snip off the corner of the bag and try to inconspicuously balance it as little hands “pour” in the chocolate chips.

   Together, you drop dollops of dough onto the prepared pan, and in the oven they go.  You set the timer and wait for the first batch to bake.

   Minutes later, cookies are distributed by your little helper, “Look what I did! I made cookies!”

   You bought the ingredients, cleaned up the mess, and your pint-sized partner is taking all the credit!

   The experience of baking cookies with a child reminds me of my relationship with God. He has a plan, a “recipe” if you will. He provides the ingredients and gives the directions that are needed. He allows me to add chocolate chips to the mix, and I think I have really done something special.

   In reality, none of it was me. It was all Him. He allows me to partner with Him and I enjoy the outcome to which I contributed little.

   “He lifts me up to be more than I can be.” The lyric of a popular Christian song expresses it well. Alone, I can accomplish little. Without His anointing, wisdom, and power I simply make a mess.

   I heard a statement once that has become my daily prayer, “I want to make a difference for God that is utterly disproportionate to who I am.” 

   There is only one way that I can accomplish great things for God. It is when I allow Him to lead, guide, and direct me that I can bless, help, and strengthen others. The words that I may speak to lift a heavy load come from Him. The anointing that I rely on to face the expectations and needs of those around me is His.

   Occasionally, I try to make chocolate chip cookies on my own. I think I know the recipe. I pull down what ingredients I think go into the batter, but find that my measurements are off. 

   I “overcook” my service, and nothing “tastes” quite right.  I tend to add too much salt and forget the sugar. Instead of satisfying and delicious, I make a mess that requires a lot of “cleaning up” afterwards.

   I desperately want to be used by God. I desire that His anointing, wisdom, and peace flow through me into the lives of others. But I can not produce anything desirable or worth offering to anyone unless I allow Him to oversee the entire process.

   I need God to pick the recipe for each day. Only He knows the ingredients I will need to face each challenge and obstacle. He is aware of who I will meet in the produce section of the grocery store and what my coworkers are going through.  

   He knows what to add and how much. He knows when I should speak and when I should listen. Within myself, I do not know which way to go or what to say or do. He has promised to give me the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), that my steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23), and that if I will acknowledge Him, He will direct my path (Proverbs 3:6).

   His Word provides me with all the recipes and directions I need. I have to constantly be aware that I tend to take the credit. He does it all and I have a propensity to let others think it was all me.

   For God to continually use my life, I must stay blessable.  He does not share His glory (Isaiah 42:8).

   Submitting to Him, following His lead, and then making sure that He gets all the credit guarantees me a “delicious” outcome.

   Partnering with God is my greatest honor. He has a “recipe.” Whether I help Him or not does not thwart His plan. His purpose will always be accomplished. It is up to me if I am willing to help when He asks.

   God is always “cooking up” something wonderful. It is my privilege to climb up into the chair, help Him stir in the ingredients He deems necessary. Maybe today He will let me pour in the chocolate chips!