The skin is the most nutrient dense part of an apple, so don’t throw out the peel! According to Healthline, a raw apple with skin contains up to 332% more vitamin K, 142% more vitamin A, 115% more vitamin C, 20% more calcium, and up to 19% more potassium than a peeled apple does.
I remember watching my grandfather and then my father peel apples with fascination and curiosity as they slowly, methodically, precisely peeled the skin without taking much of the sweet apple meat with the peel. A celebration would occur when the peel was successfully removed and especially so if in one long, single piece. A real, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV) moment. Not really, but fits nicely with the point that I am doing my best to illustrate in this writing.
Imagine my utter shock and confusion that the tough, outer cover that God designed to protect and grow the apple to its sweetest and most delightful ripeness was actually the healthiest and best part for me to eat. I had spent countless hours watching with complete fascination and sold-out belief, that the peeling was the process to the greatest enjoyment and benefit of the apple. Wrong assumption and wrong conclusion.
We are at the same risk today of wrong assumption and conclusion as we are drawn to the popular scripture verses that are often more like sports metaphors rather than life guides. We are rightfully drawn to Jeremiah 29:11 (“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.“), with an expectation that the ATM God will immediately shower blessings us, too often not understanding that the plans that God had for his children were 70 years in the future. 70 years! When the Apostle Paul wrote (or Timothy who was with him) Philippians 4:13 (“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.“), he was in prison and these were some of his last exhortations. We excitedly quote the words of a man fatigued, weak physically, feeling abandoned by God and was crying out, “For I can do everything…“
I am certainly not suggesting we should not learn and teach certain scripture verses that we carry in our mind daily. My point is to become readers of the Word, who understands the context of these verses so that as maturing Christians, we can use, teach and lead those in our path well with understanding and proper guidance. Flood your kids minds with scripture so they can withstand the lies and arrows of this World.
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NLT God gave each of specific and unique personalities and gifts that differentiate us and attract us to various people while others are attracted to others. A perfect model to appeal to the whole through a plethora of individuals. He gifted the wide variety that makes up his children with a single guidebook that when studied, accepted, adopted and used as the life-giving and leading tool that it is, creates a chorus of individuals singing that same tune with beautiful harmony from different personality types. The Bible is the singular message for everyone.
“I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” 1 Corinthians 3:2 NIV
Why is a deep understanding of all scripture important? A prepared mind. A readied heart. A mind trained for the battle that rages all around us for the souls of our children, our family, our friends, our fellow human beings. The reasons are just to many to write but the truth is this; “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 ESV
So my encouragement today is to that you gift yourself with a daily vitamin dose of hope, peace, love, guidance, understanding, purpose and preparation to be the sun in someone’s darkness. The knowledge source for a learner. The sister or brother with understanding that comes from the only source of truth, the Bible. God loves us so much that he provides us with the follow-on guide book after the death and resurrection of His Son. Take advantage of this gift and experience the reduction and removal of doubt and anxiety in your life and the brightened eyes of expectation in the faces of those you share this good Book with.
You’ve got this.