Called to Priesthood

I have a confession: I never really liked lemon cake.
In fact, I didn’t even give it a fair chance.

My husband once bought a slice from a café, and I took a bite out of curiosity. It was dry, overly tangy, and just… not for me. From that day, I decided lemon cake simply wasn’t for me— and that was that.

Until one day, I tasted a slice made by a caterer at work, and it completely changed my mind! The cake was soft, moist, perfectly balanced — tangy but not overly sweet, light yet flavourful. It hit the spot in a way I didn’t expect.

As someone who used to bake professionally, I decided to put aside my old bias and give lemon cake a proper chance. And I’m so glad I did! When I made it at home, my sister, dad, and husband loved it. My sister even said, “This is one of the best cakes you’ve ever made!” I couldn’t agree more — it was genuinely delicious.

So today, I’m generously sharing that recipe with you. But before I do, here’s what this experience reminded me of.

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When We Don’t Give faith a Chance

For a long time, I had written lemon cake off based on one negative experience — and I think many people do the same with faith.

Sometimes, people have a disappointing or confusing encounter with religion. Maybe they met judgment instead of love, or rules instead of grace. And without realising it, they decide, “Christianity isn’t for me.”

But here’s the thing: I didn’t really dislike lemon cake — I just hadn’t tasted it as it was meant to be made.
And that’s how it is with God, too.

He’s not the bitterness of human misunderstanding or the dryness of empty performance.
He’s the sweetness, warmth, and light that fills the heart when we truly encounter Him — not through human rules, but through His grace.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
— Psalm 34:8

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Faith Isn’t Meant to Be Complicated

One thing I’ve learned over time is that humans sometimes make Christianity far more complicated and performative than it’s meant to be.

For a while, I felt like being a Christian meant constantly trying to act a certain way, meet expectations, and constantly prove my faith through performance. But that’s not the gospel.

The gospel is beautifully simple.
It’s not about ticking boxes — it’s about believing in the One who already did everything for us.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (NIV)

When I finally understood that, I felt free.
Just like discovering how good lemon cake truly was when made right, I realised that the real gospel — pure, simple, and full of grace — is far delicious than the complicated version people sometimes serve.

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Lemon Cake Recipe (Soft, Moist & Delicious)

This cake can be baked in a loaf pan or any cake pan of choice.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of self raising flour
• 3/4 cup of salted butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup of sunflower oil
• 1 1/4cups of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 4 large eggs
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup of evaporated milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla flavour
• 1 teaspoon of coconut flavour

For the glaze (optional)

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 100g icing sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line your cake pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat the butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add your vanilla and coconut flavour.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Stir in the lemon zest and juice.
6. In another bowl, add your self raising flour and baking soda—mix well.
7. Gently fold in the flour mixture in your butter mixture until smooth. Do not over-mix.
8. Pour the mixture into your prepared cake pan and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
9. While the cake is still warm, mix the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the top. Let it soak in for a tangy finish.

Tips

• You can substitute sunflower oil with vegetable or canola oil.

• This cake was made to my preference. I do not love overly sugary cakes.
• You can substitute evaporated milk with any milk of choice. (Results may vary).
• Coconut flavour elevates the flavour.
• You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer or hand whisk. You can also use a food processor with your ‘dough’ blade.
• Ensure your cup and spoon measurement is levelled. Make sure not to heap up your cup or spoon.
• The glaze is optional, I didn’t use glaze in this recipe.
• You can take the lemon cake with tea, hot chocolate, ice cream, sorbet or custard.

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A Sweet Reminder

When I finally gave lemon cake another chance, I discovered something beautiful I had been missing out on.
And maybe someone reading this is in that same place with God.

You might think you already know what He’s like — maybe through others, through tradition, or through disappointment — but what if you’ve only tasted a version that wasn’t truly Him?

The real gospel isn’t about performance, pressure, or perfection.
It’s about love, faith, and grace — and when you taste that, it changes everything.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
— Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)

So, if you’ve ever written off Christianity the way I once wrote off lemon cake, maybe it’s time to give it another try.
You might just discover something sweeter than you ever imagined.

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Prayer🕊️
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your goodness and the gentle ways You draw us to Yourself.
Where our hearts have been closed because of past experiences, open them again.
Where we have misunderstood You, reveal Your true nature — full of grace, truth, and love.
Help us to taste and see Your goodness for ourselves, not through performance or pressure, but through simple faith.
And for anyone seeking or unsure, let Your peace guide them step by step into the sweetness of knowing You.
Amen.

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Do you have any questions regarding the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments. 🙂

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