18 Aug, 2009
Greatest In The World...You?
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- A 1,224-pound triple vanilla cupcake with pink frosting has set a record as the world's largest.
The sugary behemoth was unveiled Saturday at the Woodward Dream Cruise classic cars event in Royal Oak, Mich. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was on hand to certify the cupcake's girth. It was more than eight times the size of the previous record holder.
The colossal cupcake took 12 hours to bake and included 800 eggs and 200 pounds each of sugar and flour. Slices of the cupcake were served in exchange for donations to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer organization.
Ryan Abood, owner of New Hampshire-based Gourmetgiftbaskets.com who made the cupcake, told the Detroit Free Press that it clocked in at an estimated 2 million calories.
(Story provided by huffingtonpost.com 8/17/09)
Ephesians 2:10 [NLT]
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
What does God's Story say about being great?
This ginormous, record-breaking cupcake made its debut on the same day that Usain Bolt broke ran a world record 9.58 second 100 meter dash...also the same day that formerly unknown Y.E. Yang gained global recognition for beating the world's best golfer, Tiger Woods.
Our culture constantly pushes us to succeed. Sometimes the message is subtle and other times it comes across loud and clear...if you want to be something great, achievement is where it's at! This can happen by baking the biggest cupcake, running the fastest 100 meters, getting the best grades, earning a spot on the varsity team, getting into an elite college...singing, dancing, playing, drawing...just as long as you can be among the best, then you are worthy of recognition.
God's Word says something quite different. It says that you are already great in God's eyes. You are His masterpiece! He created you just the way you are and He couldn't love you any more or any less. You could break a thousand world records and it couldn't make Him love you any more! And if you are on the other end of that...seeming to fail at everything you try (according to the world's standards that is)...He doesn't love you any less. Why? Because you are His. How could He not love His masterpiece!?!
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story
Recognize that achievement is not the problem...it is our attitude behind it. Here are some questions to ask yourself that might indicate a wrong attitude about achievement if your answer is yes:
- Do I want to achieve so that I receive praise and recognition?
- Do I want to achieve so that others will accept me?
- Do I want to achieve so that God will think I am doing a good job...doing enough for Him?
Here are some questions that, if answered yes, might indicate a heart that lines up with God's Word:
- Do I know that I am loved by God regardless of how I "perform"?
- Do I know that I can not "earn" his grace, forgiveness or love? (Eph.2:8-9)
- Do I realize that God has created specific things for me to do and that I should do them with excellence simply to bring Him glory and fulfill my purpose?
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with my friend's story
- Perhaps you know a friend who works constantly to achieve. Ask them why they work so hard. Find out what drives them. Maybe they are trying to please their parents, impress their friends or make a reputation for themselves. Maybe they are really tired and ready to get off the never-ending treadmill of life's performance. What a great opportunity to let them know that they are already "the world's greatest" because they are loved by a God who made them His masterpiece!
- If you are given the gifts by God to actually be among the best...this is not a bad thing...but use this as a chance to bring God glory rather than yourself. Whether it is in the locker room, a quote in the local paper or a T.V. interview, make sure to bring glory to the One who has given you every ability that you have.
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