There’s something very special and personal about being in front of God’s face. Right where He is. To know that He’s looking at us. Where He pays attention to us. Where we have personal and intimate fellowship with Him.

 

When God told the nation of Israel about how to meet with Him, part of it was through something called the Bread of the Presence. They were to put two stacks of six loaves each of some very special bread in His presence. In front of His face.

 

And so, they did. Once a week fresh bread was put in God’s presence. There it stayed all week till it was replaced with new loaves. When the old loaves were removed, they were given to the priests as a reward for their service.

 

The question that floats through my mind is, “What did those loaves think and do all that time that they were in the presence of God? After all, shouldn’t they be active? Accomplishing great things for God? To me, it really sounds boring just to be sitting there all that time.

 

Compared to the Golden Lampstand and Alter of Incense that were in the same place, the life of the loaves was really boring. Every day, someone came in to make sure that there was plenty of oil to keep the lamps burning. And then there were all those daily and annual incense offerings to God. But the loaves of bread just sat there. It doesn’t sound interesting or exciting at all.

 

When the loaves looked at their schedule, it wasn’t filled with any activity at all. They weren’t bombarded with hundreds of requests to be interviewed. They didn’t have thousands of followers and weren’t labeled as “influencers” who were selling autographed merchandise either.

 

Bread That Doesn’t Loaf

 

Even though the loaves that made up the Bread of the Presence didn’t seem to do very much, they show us some tremendous truths. They were actively living out their daily identity and purpose.

 

• Identity – being who God made us to be.
   

• Purpose – doing what God wants us to do

 

These loves were made to be in and live out all their days in the presence of God. Their minute by minute identity and purpose were the single most important thing in their lives. It guided and energized who they were and their decisions in this life.

 

Without a doubt, the Bread of the Presence are a model for the way we are looking at life here on planet Earth. When we see who we are From God’s point of view, everything changes. And our response is to release our rights, receiving His identity and purpose. Everything will revolve around our creator and savior.

 

Instead of seeing God’s will as something to either be avoided or endured, our attitude and motivation radically shifts. We want to voluntarily follow where our loving Heavenly Father leads. Job One becomes making daily Godly choices about the way we spend our time, energy, and resources. Doesn’t this sound just like the life and words of Jesus?

 

I did not come to do what I wanted to do. I came to do what My Father wanted Me to do. He is the One Who sent Me.

 

• John 6:38 NLV

 

Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—but it is not my will, but yours, that must be done.

 

• Luke 22:42 Phillips

 

Crusty Christian Living

 

Think about those two stacks of loaves that made up the Bread of the Presence. You only see all of the top two loaves. The majority, the other ten, you only see their crust.

 

And like the loaves that make up the Bread of the Presence, only a few of God’s people are on top. The minority have very public and visible ministries that are seen by many. Without doing hardly anything, they’re followed by lots and lots of people. They get invited to speak at conferences. The impact of this handful of people can be seen all over the place. Their influence with many people around the world is truly significant. And we thank God for them all.

 

But for the vast majority of Jesus followers, only their crust is visible. They are just as valuable to God, but their visible impact on the world for Christ is not noticed as much. They don’t get the same exposure and “eyeballs” as the visible ones.

 

The same hands that brought the twelve loaves before the face of God put two on top and ten somewhere underneath. When it came to deciding which two loaves were on top, it wasn’t like a livestock competition at a state fair. The priest didn’t judge which two were better. More perfect. They didn’t carefully look over all the loaves, rearranging the ones with flaws and weaknesses somewhere underneath.

 

And just before putting the loaves on the golden table, the priest didn’t announce to the world, “Because these two loaves are just so much better than the others, I’m putting them on top. Here’s their blue ribbon and let’s give them a great big round of applause.”

 

Yes, all the loaves are made of the same ingredients. Kneaded with the same hands. Baked in the same oven. Brought into the presence of God at the same time. But only a few will be very visible. For most of the loaves, only the crust can be seen.

 

The people that God places on top have lives that are full of visibility and activity. It seems like they’re so much more important. They’re fully seen by everyone that walks by. This looks and sounds so much more interesting and exciting.

 

If you’re a follower of Jesus, we’re all loaves that are in His presence. Christ died for all. Each one is loved and cared for as His precious child. Before God, we’re of equal value and significance. We are all equally gifted by our great and personal creator.

 

And while we celebrate this great blessing and truth, the vast majority will be given the great gift of serving in secret. Living and following Jesus without a large following. Only a few will be given the undeserved gift of visibility from God. Bringing a tremendous impact to the world for Christ.

 

When it comes to living and serving in secret, most people really don’t like this idea. Why? Because it sounds like we’re being restricted and held down. Everything in our world says that it’s modern, sophisticated, and our right to do what we want. To be popular and well known. To have a huge following.

 

How God wants to use us is His loving choice. Where our Heavenly Father desires His children to be seen and heard is within His hands. The decision of how big and significant our impact is a pay grade way above our heads. Our job is really quite simple.

 

As for you, follow me.

 

•       John 21:22 CSB

 

Our Crusty Christian life, our single-minded focus is to follow Jesus. Period. When it comes to being seen, that’s reserved for a few. Most people are only going to significantly touch the lives of a small number of people. And that’s more than just OK because that’s who God made us to be.

 

Well Done

 

Jesus’ parable about the talents says it all. After the master gives two servants different amounts to use and invest, it’s no accident that he says exactly the same thing to both of them. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” The one who made five talents didn’t get stock options and a free upgrade to First Class. The servant who only made two talents wasn’t looked down on either. Both were equally invited to “Share your master’s joy.”

 

Both servants worked hard and smart. They used all their God-given energy, talents, abilities, and creativity for the glory of God. They didn’t use the fact that they received more or less as an excuse. That’s what the third servant did, and he was called evil and lazy.

 

When we look back at the loaves of bread, they were doing exactly what they were made to do. They were actively living out their identity and purpose in the presence of God. We also have the privilege of living out our identity and purpose in the presence of God. Being the people that God made us to be. To share who God is and all He’s done for us with the people around us. The result, God gets the increase. God gets the glory. And that’s more than enough.

 

The twelve loaves that make up the Bread of the Presence sound so ordinary. Unremarkable. Common. While the loaves themselves are not exciting, they live out their days in the presence of the Lord. They’re always visible and available to Him. God is the extraordinary and remarkable one. And He is pleased to use ordinary and unremarkable people just like you and me.

 

Now is the time to shift gears. Start becoming who God made you to be. Doing what He has called you to do. Today, start living each and every moment in front of the Face of the Lord. Always available. Always ready for God to let Himself be seen in and through us. To be used to strengthen and nourish others. This is the only way to fulfil our identity and purpose.

 

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This is an excerpt from Chet’s upcoming book, Serve Life® - God’s loving and perfect plan for all His children is to live “Crusty Lives” of significance, meaning, and purpose.

 

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