A GUMDROP SAVED THE DAY
I was reclining in a dental chair while my dentist struggled to remove a temporary crown. After several minutes of poking and prodding, he finally muttered, “This isn’t working.”
I’d been told this appointment would be “quick and simple.” The dentist only needed to remove the temporary crown and replace it with a permanent one. Mere child’s play. So why was it taking so long?
I began to wonder whether the dental staff might resort to a hammer and chisel.
Finally, a dental assistant excused herself and stepped away. She soon returned with an unlikely solution: a gumdrop. She placed it on the temporary crown and instructed me to bite down hard, then open my mouth quickly.
I did.
Pop! Out came the crown.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Here I sat in a modern dental office, surrounded by millions of dollars’ worth of equipment, none of which had done the job. Instead, the dental team relied on a ten-cent gumdrop. (I wonder if they added it to my bill.)
Following Jesus is a lot like that. It isn’t always easy, but the heart of it is simple.
Paul reminds us, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). God has never depended on impressive human resources to accomplish His purposes. He could have devised an elaborate plan to save us, but He chose something as simple as two pieces of wood fashioned into a cross.
Consider the hundreds of commandments in the Old Testament. Jesus summarized the heart of God’s law in two great principles: Love God and love others (Matthew 22:37–40).
How do I live that out? I spend the rest of my life learning to imitate Jesus. That isn't always easy, but it is simple. It doesn't require expensive equipment or impressive credentials. It requires faith, love, and a willingness to follow Him.
Maybe that's what we need: a little gumdrop faith.
PONDER:
In what ways do you tend to overcomplicate your walk with Christ?
What steps can you take to pursue a simpler, more trusting faith?
PURSUE: For a deeper dive, read and meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:20–31.
Lord, thank You for making Your plan of salvation accessible to all. Help me trust You more deeply and follow You with a simple, sincere faith. Amen
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