Monday Musings: Leavening

So my Monday Musings today are all about micro-organisms. Bugs in our bread. Well they are supposed to be there and they aren't really bugs. They are a fungus, yeast to be exact. Yeasts that can be used for bread are a single celled organism that functions a lot like a single human cell. Yeasts are actually an amazing organism. They are what makes bread possible. At least raised breads.

When making bread there are several ways, but the one I want to mention is the one dear old mom taught me. I was taught that you create your start with flour, milk, shortening or lard and you mix up a sponge. This sponge forms the base of your bread. My mother always taught me that to have really successful bread you also have to start your yeast correctly. A little bit of sugar and your yeast in a glass of warm water. (Proportions here are essential were talking about the symbolism) When things are right the yeast will begin to grow and release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of metabolism. (Yes, the Carbon Dioxide is yeast waste and this would be the place for a joke but this is my serious blog posting for the week)

The carbon dioxide produced by the yeast does no good to anyone if the yeast stays alone. If the yeast stays in the cup there is no benefit. None. but if I put the yeast into my bread sponge I can improve the bread. The bread dough can be used without the yeast. It is still useful. I can fry the dough, or make flat breads or use other leavenings to get it to raise, but the yeast is useless until it is put in the dough. It has to be put in the dough or it really doesn't do anything. It can continue to live on it's own, but when it is combined with the dough the life in the yeast produces a product that is so much better.

In Galations 5:9 Paul teaches us:

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

This is so significant to all of us. When we have faith in God we can be the active and activating ingredient in the world around us. We can grow on our own, but our full purpose is brought about by being mixed into the world. If we isolate ourselves we don't benefit the whole.

It is also significant that yeast needs sugar. Leavening needs nourishment. Believers must nourish their own souls. They must take in nourishment so they can activate the whole lump to use Paul's words. Let's all be like yeast!

Posted from the Bus!