Cheesus Meets His Match - Woman Finds Devil in a Tomato

The web is buzzing about Kelly Ramey and her discovery of Jesus in a snack-sized bag of Cheetos. Quickly deeming the edible orange oddity "Cheesus," Ramey's family is enjoying the unique Cheeto which bears a resemblance to the shape of Jesus on the cross.

While there may not be anything theologically special about a Jesus shaped Cheeto, I believe God truly does work in delightfully mysterious ways. Sometimes when people are not looking, it is easy to find a small miracle, a sense of comfort, a sense of joy, or a simple appreciation for something a little strange or out of the ordinary.

Particularly after recently enjoying the new X-Files movie, I find there are times I sincerely admire the character of Fox Mulder as he always endeavors to see things with both a heart and soul that "want to believe." This gives me a greater sense of encouragement regarding the rest of the world.

In the case of the Jesus Cheeto, or simply "Cheesus," I am reminded again of a particular Bible message, incorporated into the X-Files movie, and found in Proverbs 25:2 -- "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, to search out a matter is the glory of kings."

Proverbs suggests that it is God's glory to conceal himself. However, this view is equally somewhat limited as Christ on the cross (even if it's on a Cheeto) will mean nothing to you unless you believe in him.

With belief, people are able to find Christ in the oddest of places, and yes, as cheesy as it sounds, even on a Cheeto.

Like Kelly Ramey, I too recently found my own spiritual coincidence while making homemade spaghetti sauce. After picking buckets of tomatoes with two small rambunctious boys I was exhausted. The children were more than a little ornery and my day, to say the least, was difficult. The task of pureeing tomatoes and preparing dinner was inciting additional anger and frustration.

As our small Bible study group is currently reading the letter of 1 Peter, I found myself remembering comments from our discussion the other night about being humble. What I personally gathered from reading the chapter was that as a wife and mother, I needed to strive more diligently to perform my household chores and tasks not only obediently, but also joyously! Joyously! Now, imagine that concept!

While I unhappily sliced tomatoes, I found myself "chatting" with God. I apologized for my not so pleasant mood and I found myself questioning what could possibly be fun about the mundane task of slicing tomatoes and cooking dinner when all I really felt awaited me was a messy kitchen counter and additional dishes to clean up. That and I absolutely hate tomatoes! Of course, every year I try to eat just one and in twenty years I still haven't changed my mind.

So, there I stood...angrily slicing hateful tomatoes and wondering how on earth the task was supposed to be joyous.

Imagine my surprise when near the bottom of the bucket, I stumbled across this hateful tomato. As I started to slice the top of it, I stopped. I thought, this particular tomato looks exactly like how I feel today! It made me smile.

A few seconds later, my Devil tomato found herself placed on my kitchen windowsill alongside a slew of baby cherry tomato orphans. My Devil tomato quickly became the "Little Devil woman who had so many children that she didn't know what to do."

Immediately, my otherwise mundane task became overly joyous!

The Devil Woman perched on the windowsill and made ugly faces at me all day and I felt joy each time I looked at her.

God knows I hate tomatoes. So much, that he sent me a hateful tomato to let me know he "feels my pain."

Sure, folks are bound to think Kelly Ramey's "Cheesus" is a bit cheesy. Some might even feel like throwing a few tomatoes in my direction.

Know what?

I don't care. I don't think Kelly Ramey does either.

Oh, and before you ask, my tomato is not for sale....unless you offer to pay off my student loans and then maybe I'll consider it.

Resources:

Additional "Cheesus" information.

More in depth sermon about Proverbs 25:2 titled "God's Glory in Hiding Sin."