Tootsie Pop Theology

Having athletes in the family, I’ve spent many hours in the gym. And many dollars at the concession stands.

My treat of choice? The Tootsie Pop.
It lasts through at least a quarter of a basketball game if you lick and don’t bite.

Red is my favorite. Why do they even make the brown ones? Anyway, regardless of the color, it’s really the soft, chocolaty middle that is the best. You have to work through the hard shell to get to the real goodness: the essence of the Tootsie Pop.

Hmm…

I was thinking one day as I sat in the bleachers savoring my Tootsie Pop.

Aren’t we all a little like a Tootsie Pop?
God made us in his image and likeness. His goodness is the essence of all of us – that chewy chocolaty middle. But that isn’t what the world sees. Throughout life we form those crusty layers that hide who we really are. Layers put on from family expectations of us or as a wall against hurts or disappointments.

Or in response to what the world is telling us we should be. Pretty soon, we don’t look like the person God made us to be at all. Let God remove some of those crusty layers. Let Him free you to be the perfect person He intended you to be – a reflection of His goodness.

What a sweet treat that is for the world.

Scripture Verses:

Genesis 1:27
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

John 3:30
He must increase, I must decrease.

Discussion Questions:

1. What aspect of yourself least reflects God’s image and likeness?
2. Do you ever find yourself in situations or with certain people where you hide the real you?
3. In what situations is it hardest for you to let your chewy, chocolaty goodness shine through?
4. Can you identify one of the layers you have put on which hides your true God-made self?

Listen