09 February 2005

A New Recipe

Can you think of a time when you were trying out a new recipe and were trying to get it JUST right? First you check to make sure that you have all of the ingredients. And then you get out all the measuring instruments, and pots and pans that you need and you get to work. Trying hard to follow the instructions exactly: t. means teaspoon, and T means tablespoon, right? Is it Powdered sugar or confectioners sugar? Are they the same? Did I skip a step? When do I turn on the oven? What does "folding mean?" How much is a "dash?"What if I don't have enough eggs? I think you probably get the picture. It takes a lot of effort for that recipe. And if you like it, or learn to toy with recipe, you can eventually make it without thinking about it at all. And you "eyeball" all the measurements. And eventually you couldn't explain how to make it to anybody.
In Leviticus 9, Aaron and his sons offer the first sacrifices as God revealed the methods to Moses. I kind of picture this situation as though they are testing a new recipe. They start one part, but then have to go back and look at the directions. I can imagine these first sacrifices took a LONG time. I wonder if that is how it was. The only part that is different between Aaron and the scenario above, is that there is no room for error. God, plainly told them that it must be done as He said. And I can imagine that as the days and weeks and months went by, Aaron and his sons began to get really practiced at this sacrificing thing. They all knew their part, and probably worked really well together-probably. (Like a well-oiled machine....?) And as the years went by, I wonder if it became monotonous to them. I wonder if they ever said, "Man, I wish I could have been a shepherd." or, "why couldn't we have been called to be weavers?" God determined their destiny for generations to come. Whoa!!!
Do I follow the same path in my sacrifices? Did I start out kind of looking around the "kitchen" for something to give to God, not really sure where it was all headed, but REALLY hoping it would be good? Then do I begin giving more to god because that first time wasn't so bad? I think I probably messed around with the recipe sometimes: God, I'll give you this, but let me hang on to part of it for you. I think I even got to a point where it became all too common. That I would "give" stuff to God, because that's what you're supposed to do. In truth, I was holding on to it, but telling God I would give it to Him. I want to be in a place where I can give everything I have to God. Trust Him. And never ask for it back. I don't know if that will all happen at once or if I will give up "my" possessions and will one at a time. But I desire for it to happen.

***

Lord, I wish you could just come in and steal all of my stuff one day. I think that would be easier than my willingly giving it to you. But that's not what you ask for. Help me to be at a place where I can trust in you with ALL my heart. That I can trust in your provisions. That I would quit depending on myself and others. We are nowhere near as dependable as You. Bring me to that place. Use whatever means necessary. (Be careful what you pray for, Liz...) I trust you, Lord, to guide me.
Amen.

1 comment:

Thomas said...

That was a great post. I love the idea about it becomming monotonous after a while, and the self inspection. This blogging must be good for you because it seems to me like you are growing right before my eyes. kep it up