Icing on the Cake.

Have you ever heard the term, “That is just the icing on the cake?” This phrase is used to represent something wonderful and sweet that has happened, but is less significant than the entire story. There was far more wonderful occurrence that came before this icing. This cake is something deep and rich that had happened concurrent with or prior to the event being discussed. The richness of this other blessing far exceeds what is now being referred to as the icing.
When one makes a cake, the batter is carefully prepared using wonderful, sweet flavors. In many cases the cake could be enjoyed just as it is. This enjoyable combination of ingredients provides a taste and texture that is the substance of the dessert. The sugary confection that we call icing is simply a sweet and eye appealing topping. Cake without icing would be a fine, tasty treat. Icing without a cake at its base is not often served. It is overly sweet and without substance or any nutritional value.
In teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus taught, ^“Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13 AMP) We are not to focus primarily on the peripheral needs and wants of life. We focus on God and his kingdom being established here on earth.
Jesus goes on to discuss spiritual practices and God’s provision for all the creatures on earth. He instructs us to not seek for these things because, “…your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:32b-33 AMP) We are to seek after God’s kingdom plan and will for our lives. This pursuit of God’s will is not burdensome but sweet. Seeking God’s kingdom and His plan for your life is rich and wonderful. Having our earthly needs and desires met are simply another sweet blessing on top of the rich fulfillment that accompanies being in the center of God’s will.

When we search to see God’s kingdom advance, we will find ourselves being used in the work that He has planned for us. “For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP) Being used for God’s planned purpose provides great fulfillment and a delicious inner contentment. It is exhilarating to be doing what we have been created for. In this excitement we will find that our motives become more like those of Jesus. “Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.” (John 4:34 AMP) This same goal will become our favorite nourishment. We will find ourselves savoring our closeness with God and His plans for us far more than material blessings. When these blessings come they will simply be that sweet extra.

 Seeking to know His righteousness, provided for us on the cross, brings peace and joy. Developing and walking in that righteousness brings an increased, tender closeness to God. Spending time in the Scripture is rich and wonderful. We grow in contentment and can truly understand the words of King David, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103 AMP) All this and more a company our pursuits of God’s kingdom. Our souls will relish the sweetness of the Lord.

God’s kingdom is magnificent. Being invited to be a part of that kingdom here on earth is amazing. Living every day in the presence of God is beyond what we can hope for and our hearts will cry out, “…in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 AMP) These will become like a huge serving of a decadent, rich, nourishing cake. The temporal things of life that we need, and the little extras that we enjoy, are then the added sweetness of a well-made icing.

Seek His kingdom and relish being a part of it. When the extra blessings of life come your way, enjoy the added sweetness. Thank your heavenly Father for both.