Beneath the Crust -Confidence, Enthusiasm, Faith

The banquet was laid out at the reception. Tables were lined with delicate fruits, colorful candy filled jars, hors d'oeuvres, and main dishes which consisted of sliced roast, ham, casseroles, a potato bar, and a large selection of pies.

It all looked so delicious. I confidently made choices moving among the tables until I reached the pies. All of the pies looked identical, each with a perfectly golden brown crust covering what was hidden beneath.

I looked for tags but there were none to identify one from the other. Was this one a meat pie, could that be a vegetable pie, maybe a fruit pie...?

Knowing that taking a piece of pie obligated me to eat it if I did not want to upset my host, I chose to pass them by. Later that evening, I stole a glance back at the pies noting that others had passed them by as well because none

of the pies had been touched.

If only I could have seen beneath the crust.

How can I make a decision if I don't know

what is hidden?

It is not until we cut into the pie allowing the filling to ooze out and the odor of the rich delicacy to fill our senses that we know what is inside. It is then that we ask, "should we have made the choice to cut into the pie?"

Proverbs 2: 6-7 NIV

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come

knowledge and understanding.

He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

Life often presents us with choices that require blind decisions because we cannot see beneath the crust. Situations arise requiring important decisions be made without the benefit of precognition. How do we know what to choose when

we can't see past the present?

Would someone please tell me what is in the pie!

Wouldn't that make things so much easier? Unfortunately, we will have to continue to make decisions before knowing the end result. However, there are ways to bend the odds in the favor of positive results. People who succeed have three things that may make them stand above the rest.

The most beautiful does not always win the crown

for her beauty alone

and

the genius does not always find the answer

by intelligence alone.

Both require:

Confidence + Enthusiasm + Faith

Confidence that you have the ability to achieve and reach the right decision after deliberate consideration and enthusiasm to spur yourself and others to achieve and reach the end goal. Faith in yourself and faith in God to give you the confidence and enthusiasm.

Through Him all things are possible,

Without Him we are nothing.

Consult Him in all decisions, Trust Him!