The Hidden Lessons of Beans: A Story of Continuous Growth

  

Life is full of hidden lessons, often tucked away in the simplest of activities. One such surprising source of wisdom? Beans. Yes, you read that right—this insight comes from the process of peeling beans while making Moi-moi. Let me take you on a journey that starts in the kitchen but ends with a deeper understanding of personal growth.

The Bean-Peeling Revelation

One day, while preparing Moi-moi, a traditional delicacy, I found myself reflecting deeply on the process of peeling beans. If you've ever made Moi-moi, you know the steps: first, you soak the beans, then you begin rubbing them between your hands to loosen the skins. At first glance, it seems like most of the skins have come off. But here’s the surprising part—when you pour water to rinse the beans, let the peeled skins float, and filter them out, you will see some unpeeled beans. Sometimes, they are still many, and other times few, but when the floating skins were still in the water, with the amount of skin afloat, you would think all the beans’ skins were already removed. 

As I watched the floating skins separate from the beans, a powerful thought struck me: It’s in the process of removing the obvious waste that the hidden waste is revealed. The more you rub, rinse, and repeat, the more skins come off, even when you thought you were done.


The Lesson: Transformation is a Continuous Journey

Isn’t life just like that? The more we grow and change, the more we realize there’s still more work to do. Imagine your bad habits, toxic relationships, or limiting beliefs as the "skins" on your beans. At first, you deal with the most obvious issues—perhaps anger, procrastination, or negativity. But as you peel away these surface layers, deeper, more hidden flaws begin to float to the surface. 

Take anger, for example. You might recognize and address your temper, thinking you’ve conquered it. But as you work through it, you might discover deeper issues like impatience, irritability, or even pride. These hidden traits were there all along, but you couldn’t see them until you started peeling away the first layer, anger.

Just like peeling beans, personal transformation requires repeated effort. You rub, rinse, and repeat. You think you’re done, but new layers emerge, waiting to be addressed.

In Our Walk with God

Our spiritual journey mirrors this process. Transformation isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing, lifelong journey. As we grow closer to God, we become more aware of the subtle areas in our lives that need attention. The more light we let in, the more we see the “petty” things in our attitudes that need refining.

But unlike beans, we don’t use water to filter our lives—we use light to reveal what’s hidden in our hearts. And where does this light come from?

  • The Word of God : Like water washing over the beans, the Word reveals hidden areas in our lives that need change.
  • Fellowship with the Holy Spirit : The Holy Spirit gently nudges us, showing us what we might overlook on our own.
  • Right Knowledge and Wisdom : Learning from others and gaining insight helps us identify and address the deeper issues.

It’s not always comfortable to face these hidden flaws, but it’s a necessary part of becoming who we are meant to be.

Embrace the Process

In conclusion, becoming a better person is a gradual process, much like peeling beans. You work on one attitude at a time. Don’t be discouraged when new flaws are revealed—it’s a sign that the light is doing its work. The darkness within is being exposed, and the light is penetrating and dominating.

So next time you’re peeling beans for Moi-moi, take a moment to reflect. You’re not just preparing a meal—you’re witnessing a lesson in transformation.

Keep peeling. Keep growing.

What’s a simple task that’s taught you a deep life lesson? Share in the comments below!


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