Jesus and the Beanstalk

Life is full of giants.

Giants cast big shadows, win battles largely with the weapons of volume and fear, and they rule when we forget they can be toppled.

Atheists and skeptics consider the story of Jesus nothing more than a fairy tale. They mock those of us who have sold our sacred cows to purchase a few, boring beans with no apparent power or value.

As in the original fairy tale, they fail to see the potential these beans hold to slay giants.

Jack was feeling the effect of fruitless efforts. He and his mother planted seeds, tended fields, and worked hard but the land produced nothing to sustain them. In desperation, they sold the only thing they believed had value, their treasured cow.

This is proof that desperation can be a gift. It moves us to take actions we might otherwise dismiss and sends us into unexplored territory beyond our own barren fields.

Jack, however, according to all around him, made a poor trade for his sacred cow. Five, worthless beans. To small, to few, and to common to contain the key to sustaining life. Jack was a fool.

The wise men of this age shake their heads and scoff at those of us who, seeing the fruitlessness of our efforts at producing our own crop of righteousness, traded all that we once held dear for what Jesus had to offer. We saw the truth He offered to the world starting with Peter who wrote:

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,

through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

There’s power in those words. Divine power granting to us everything that pertains to life and godliness. How? Through knowing Jesus.

So, what are these boring, underestimated beans? Peter describes them in the next verses:

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,

and virtue with knowledge,

 and knowledge with self-control,

and self-control with steadfastness,

and steadfastness with godliness,

 and godliness with brotherly affection,

and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

Eight boring beans. The world looks at these things with scorn. What could possibly result from planting one’s soul with these ancient, shriveled beans? What good is a handful of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, or love? Toss them aside, the world taunts us! Try to retrieve your dried up cow!

But God promises otherwise. God promises that if we plant the fertile soil of our eager souls with these boring beans, we will find the strength and means to defeat giants.

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I ask you, what is more frightening than being ineffective and unfruitful? 2 Peter 1:8

The Holy Spirit not only promises reward for cultivating a soul planted with these characteristics, it warns what will happen if we neglect this work of the spirit:

“For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” 2 Peter 1:9 And that is why the world cannot see the value of these beans. The world is blind.

But you can see, loved ones, can you not?

The world is full of giants. When I was young, the giants were named Temptation, Ambition, Lust, Selfishness, or Rebellion. As I’ve felled those giants, others threatened me with names like Bitterness, Unforgiveness, Greed, Sloth, Worry, or Fear. No matter what, we are wise to remember we dwell in a land of merciless giants.

But we come from a long line of giant killers.

So the next time an atheist or a skeptic warns you not to believe in fairy tales, offer to tell him or her the story of Jesus and the Beanstalk. But, I caution you, the story will be more effective and fruitful if you’ve planted that handful of beans in a heart of fertile soil and allowed them to blossom in your soul.

We come from a long line of giant killers. This is your heritage. This is your inheritance. This is the abundant crop of a heart given over to Jesus and planted with the ancient beans of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brother affection, and love.

Are you ready for the adventure? Have you reached the place of desperation Jack reached? Weary of waiting for your own crop of righteousness to appear? Go ahead, trade your sacred cow for a handful of living potential.

Go forth and slay those giants.

*I’ve loved hearing from the small groups using my book in their study time! I’m enjoying visiting all of the groups I can get to see! If you’re planning to use Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus) with your small group, be sure to check out my Hints and Helps for Small Group Leaders free if you click HERE!

Jesus and the Beanstalk http://t.co/I8G55CQn8q Ready to trade in your sacred cow and become a giant killer? #giantkiller #Jesus #amwriting

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) April 8, 2015