For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to cook. There’s just something about taking a variety of individual items, following specific steps to combine them together, and Ta-Da….create one delicious creation! Here’s the thing though, as much as I like to cook, I don’t always want to follow a recipe that’s too complicated or use ingredients I’m not familiar with. Sometimes (dare I say it) I even think I know better than the recipe-writer and change things to suit my own tastes! As you might guess, doing it my way hasn’t always made it to the table.
I’m afraid I carry my cooking style into everyday life, too. Most of the time I’m able to take all that the day to day throws in the mix and it will turn out just as I imagined. But then, there are those moments or seasons when I find the next moves I need to make complex and uncomfortable. I want nothing more than to revise the “recipe” so that the results are to my liking. Any other “creative life cooks” out there?
At times, deviating from a recipe in the kitchen has had gratifying results. Veering from God’s plan for my life? Not so much. Adding this. Eliminating that. Leaving out a step or (dare I say it again) ignoring the “Recipe-Writer” simply leaves a bad taste in my mouth. And guess what? If we remain on a diet of too much “me” we’ll never be satisfied!
“For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him yes, to all who call on him in truth. ” Psalm 145:13-18 (NLT)
When we take our eyes off ourselves and look to God, He provides everything we need. After all, He is the one who took all the different “ingredients” and wove them together to make Ta-Da….the unique creation that each of us is!
I’m learning that the recipe for life requires no revisions and it’s not complicated: When we “grasp how wide” (for everyone) and long (throughout our life and into eternity) and high (there is no limit) and deep (He won’t let us sink) is the love of Christ”; we become “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” And friends, there’s nothing more satisfying than that!
Inspiring words Cindy!
This is beautiful. Cooking is not my specialty, but I’m thrilled it is one of yours! This is the truth I needed today… “When we take our eyes off ourselves and look to God, He provides everything we need.” Yes and Amen!
I need this lesson on instant replay I’m afraid! Thanks for popping in!