Jelly_Belly_Dispensers_and_the_Glory_of_God.pdf

Never before in my 32 years of life had I pondered how to drink orange juice to the glory of God until Pastor John considered the question in a sermon referencing 1 Corinthians 10:31—“whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

That was 25 years ago and, looking back, I have seen how God has used that simple but provocative question to influence my life and ministry in many ways.

It was this question that inspired the installation of Jelly Belly® dispensers at Bethlehem and why one can be found today near the office area on all three of our locations.

The dispensers were donated along with an ongoing supply of beans so that there would be no cost to the church and 100% of the proceeds could be applied to the “Treasuring Christ Together” fund. I am delighted that over the years these machines have added an average of $900 each year to TCT funds.

However, we will miss the point and a significant opportunity to magnify the glory of God for ourselves and our children if all these dispensers do is facilitate the transfer of quarters from our pockets and purses into this strategic fund. … So drop a quarter into the slot, turn the knob, and consider with me how to eat a Jelly Belly® to the glory of God:

1. Because eating a Jelly Belly® to the glory of God is a lot like drinking orange juice to the glory of God, I’ll borrow my first point from Pastor John’s September 15, 1986, Star article, “How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God.”
2. We open our hands and receive these Jelly Bellies® as gifts of God (1 Timothy 4:3–5) and glorify him as the Giver of everything good by offering heartfelt thanks not only for the Jelly Bellies® but for the strength to enjoy them (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:11).
3. Marvel with me at the rainbow of Jelly Belly® colors. God could have placed us in a black and white world but instead he gave us color. And consider the color-seeing eyes that the Lord made (Proverbs 20:12) that witness this beauty in all its various shades and hues.
4. Take one bean and notice “Jelly Belly” clearly printed on the surface. I am amazed that someone figured out how to mass produce millions of jelly beans with this clearly and durably printed name (in cursive!) on every single one. Even more amazing is the God who could create minds to conceive of such things and hands to accomplish them. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:6).
5. As you place one of these beans in your mouth and begin to chew, you will taste one of 50 official Jelly Belly® flavors. Eat a second one of another color and the taste will be different than the first. As with color, consider how many tastes we have been given to enjoy. Also consider how you are able to distinguish one flavor from the next.

   Marvel with me at the One who installed the invisible receptors in our mouths that receive the “flavor signal” from a little bean, not much bigger than a pea, and send that signal to our brains where it is identified as cherry, grape, mango, licorice, coconut, buttered popcorn, cotton candy, Dr. Pepper®, or any of the other flavors. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33).

There are more ways to eat a Jelly Belly® to the glory of God, but before I run out of space consider how Jelly Bellies® remind us of the things in this world that are sweet to taste but do not satisfy. For me, the Jelly Belly® dispenser represents an earnest prayer that all of us, especially those in the generations coming behind us, will crave and treasure Him who is infinitely more satisfying than the Jelly Bellies® of this world.

May God grant that we, in Christ, would be faithful in all of our labors and various ministries to offer the food that truly satisfies.

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
—Isaiah 55:1–2

So come young and old, deposit your quarter and turn the knob, but come seeking more than a remarkable taste sensation. Come and “magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:3).

David Michael
Pastor for Parenting & Family Discipleship