It was a long time ago, deep in the woods, away from the world that we directed a youth camp for teens.  The guest speaker who delivered a message each evening was led by the Holy Spirit, followed His Word truthfully and delivered it in understandable ways.  But most of all, during the day, he displayed his love of Jesus in his behaviors while relating with the kids.  They loved him and were drawn to him because of his love for Jesus. Because of the love he had for them, he earned their attention to be heard.  That’s why I still remember this particular, blessed week.

I also remember a specific illustration he gave about pie!  Yes, PIE!  Do I have your attention now?  Who doesn’t love some kind of pie?  Pie is generally cut into enough pieces to be eaten and shared with others.  Moving on, the speaker talked about how each one of us is a pie.  He then took the students on a journey about how their pie is cut into many slices, given the daily activities of their existence.  He even used a chart to illustrate. 

One slice is waking up, hopefully cleaning up and eating breakfast.  One slice is going to school, then homework.  One slice might be an after-school job.  One slice is the relationship you might be building with someone that has your full attention at the moment.  One slice is what your parents give you to do.  One slice is church.  Some slices include extracurricular activities such as band, sports, music, etc.  Our lives are cut into many pieces, but we are only one pie.  So which piece of the pie do we give to Jesus?

Ah, the kids at camp thought they knew this answer and responded quickly with shouts of all kinds of answers such as, “when I wake up”, “the church piece—definitely the church piece.”  You’re all wrong, the speaker replied after they had exhausted all answers.  Jesus is your whole pie.  No matter what, Jesus gets the whole pie of our existence.  We serve Him ALL the slices of our pie for His pleasure.  He gets all of us, the best we can be, because HE lives in us who believe.  We please and delight Jesus when we do what He says, in His Name, for His glory, honor and praise.  Silence, then repentance followed.

Paul sums up what he said earlier in this chapter of Colossians to what the speaker told the students.  No matter who you are, what stage of life you are in, or what you do for a living, do ALL to honor the Master, Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again to give us life eternal.  Ultimately, we are serving Jesus Christ, who is our Savior AND The Lord of our lives.  Jesus is the whole pie of our existence!

COLOSSIANS—ONLY JESUS!

Colossians 3:18-25, The Message

¹⁸ Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.

¹⁹ Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.

²⁰ Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.

²¹ Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.

^22-25 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.

Lord,

You remind us once more that you live in us to guide us in ALL the areas of our existence.  We have the opportunity and responsibility to respond by giving all our focus and attention to you.  Period.  You are my all in all.  You saved me and gave me life forever.  You desire your best in me as I give you all the pieces of my life.  Some of the pieces are broken, Lord, but you even take those and make something beautiful from them.  I’m grateful and humbled by all you are to me.  You alone deserve my whole pie.  Help me to please you in all I do every day of my life.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen