Babies, and other good things in this world.

I found this on a friend's facebook (0kay, I found it on a friend of a friend's facebook, I'll admit I'm a creeper...) and I couldn't resist using it. Because folks, this is precisely what I look like when I eat chocolate cupcakes. Any cupcake, really.

This baby - apart from being ridiculously cute - is so happy. I mean, we're talking true, chocolaty bliss. This baby has no care in the world, except how to put the most of this sticky goodness into his mouth as fast as possible - who cares about the mess, or anything else for that matter, when cupcakes are on the line? And it's the same with Christ - how my relationship with Him should be. How's that for a transition.

Let me clarify why I think Jesus Christ is like a moist, chocolate (best if it's vegan!) cupcake - I mean that as this little babe cherishes what is in front of him (or what's left of it), in pure ecstasy over its deliciousness and decadence and simply happy, so I should be over my Savior, Jesus. He should stir up in me desires so deep and unadulterated that I am wholly unsatisfied till I am completely wrapped in His arms and so immersed in a relationship with Him that I don't know where I end and He begins. How beautiful.

Sometimes, especially seeing this photo, however incredibly adorable, I'm reminded and convicted of how often we go after worldly things to bring us short and quick satisfaction. How many times is this referenced to in Scripture? How many Psalms are there from David that lament over this very problem?

How often we reach for those chocolate cupcakes, if you will, instead of reaching out for our Bible or seeking the encouragement of Christian fellowship. That's definitely true for me. How often since I've been up here in Philly, have I chased after the comfort of Law and Order: SVU or even the approval of my mentor? It's human nature, I guess. To want to grab that vegan, chai tea latte cupcake - seriously, yum - from the bakery on 21st and Chestnut instead of just sitting down and talking to God when we're unsatisfied, frustrated, confused, or things get hectic. I want that to be so programmed in my mind this summer that I don't even think twice, I just run full throttle into the arms of my loving God, into the mercy He has especially reserved for me, for His elect. The living blood of Jesus Christ is so much more satisfying than a whole barrel full of dairy-free cupcakes, am I right? Yet the battle continues.

Mostly what I love about this metaphor is the irresistibleness embodied by both. They are so irresistible that both are programmed into my being, as a natural desire to have them. Of course the chocolate part has more to do with being a woman than anything else, but the yearning for Christ, for His Spirit to fill me, has everything to do with my role as His follower, as one of the chosen to know Him intimately. My soul aches for more of Him like my taste buds ache for sugary confections. My spirit wants to be enveloped by His goodness as much as my heart and body want to go against His commandments... but the good news, the glorious news, is that God has equipped me forever with a best friend, a holy mentor, an eternal motivator - His very own, unrelenting Spirit, to guide me from sin to righteousness, to change me permanently from the inside out. One day, far into eternal life, the desires of my heart and my soul will be the same, and my taste for irresistible, chocolaty baked goods will be a thing of the past... that's something to cherish, to be simply happy about.

To bring ya'll up to date on my life this past summer, I was offered a position as an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) intern at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia - and the opportunity is once in a lifetime, so I took it and I've been here for three weeks already. There are 7 of us that work in different departments of research at the Academy, alongside a mentor, an expert in their field. The experience is beyond valuable and I've learned so much already, mostly about working with others, how to tackle real-life problems and how to stand on my own feet to figuring out solutions, but not being timid about asking questions or letting others know when you have no idea which way is up. Everyone I work with is passionate about what they do and it's inspiring, and every day I feel blessed that God brought me here, and I frequently reminded of the task He has set before me here in Philly - exactly what that is I'm not really sure, I may never know, but I know that I am here to proclaim the good news to those who will hear it, whether through my words, my attitude or actions. This Scripture is particularly important to me this summer, and I hope you would dwell on it and pray that God would make this passage from Hebrews a heart-knowledge for you as you pursue His will for you this summer.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2

Much love, from the city of brotherly love!

- Alicia