A Mouthwatering Masterpiece (9/12/14)

A current television craze is food competition shows. An entire network is dedicated to restaurants and food preparation. Some of the chef competition shows have begun showing up on other networks as well. The chefs appearing on the shows range from highly trained professionals, to home cooks and even children are now getting in on the act.

In most scenarios the competitors are given a set of ingredients they must use to prepare creative, high quality meals. Often these ingredients do not seem to be compatible. There is a time limit and often other parameters that must be kept. By adding additional ingredients, ingenuity and cooking skills these competitors develop restaurant quality dishes to set before the judges.

Our lives can sometimes seem like an episode of one of the shows. The circumstances that we encounter are often not what we would have chosen for ourselves. The time constraints we face may seem to be too tight and figuring out just how we will work things through may be totally confusing. Some encounters we have will be in familiar areas and not seem too difficult. Other conditions can take us totally outside of our comfort zone and stretch us beyond what we thought possible.

In these contests chefs rely on their training, knowledge of food and imagination to quickly come up with their strategy to create a dish. We also must rely on our experience with God, knowledge of His Word and promptings of the Holy Spirit as we face our daily lives. All three together are required to make something beautiful out of each and every day that we live.

Knowing and relying on the character of God is essential in navigating through daily life. ^“I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness;” (Psalm 138:2a AMP) Loving, faithful and true are great attributes to remember about God. And we know that He never changes. ^“For I am the Lord, I do not change;” (Malachi 3:6a AMP) “Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).” (Hebrews 13:8 AMP) Constant awareness of this can calm our nerves when we are under pressure.

We can best learn of His character through daily study of the Bible. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP) As a chef can properly handle and know what to expect from various ingredients we must be able to handle and know how to rely on the Word of God. By knowing the Scriptures, we can rely on what we have learned before ever encountering this day. ^“Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11 AMP)

We test all that we know about God and have learned from study of the Bible. We can then allow our creativity to thrive as we listen to the Holy Spirit who lives within us.  ^“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.” (John 14:26 AMP) He will teach and remind us of all that we require to make something beautiful out of any circumstance that we face.

When we open the box (of ingredients) or hear the challenge of what today will present, we can face it with confidence and hope. “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.” (Romans 15:13 AMP) In joy we can be thankful. “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP)

Unlike the competitors on these cooking shows, we do not face a panel of judges in fear of being eliminated. We stand before a merciful God Who promises, “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” (Romans 8:28 AMP)

So open up each day with confidence, hope and thanksgiving. With God’s help you will create a mouthwatering masterpiece for the spirit, regardless of the ingredients you have to work with.