If God Was Like Iron Chef

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If God Was Like Iron Chef

Saturday, January 26th, 2013 by Lori Roeleveld 4 Comments

Many of us live our days

like we’re competing on Iron Chef.

We wake up, pretty much knowing the tools at our disposal

and the task at hand

but each morning we’re handed a surprise ingredient by the universe

and we’re forced to work it into every dish of the day.

We race against the clock,

preparing offerings for others,

food we won’t consume ourselves,

or take time to appreciate in any way

because they’re judging us on our skill, speed, originality,

creativity, presentation, and flavor.

What we produce

must measure up

or we lose.

After one frenzied dash to the serving table

we gasp as we cross the finish line,

drawing the covers up over that day’s round,

collapsing from the strain

knowing tomorrow we will meet a new opponent

and begin the race again.

I think that God is not this way.

I think that God

is not an iron chef.

In fact, I believe He is more

like Julia Childs

awkward sounding and larger than life but

relaxed in the kitchen of our every day,

exhorting us to have the courage of our convictions

as we face the matters at hand, the ingredients on our cutting board.

He models for us how to imbibe, to inhale, to inspire as we luxuriate in the pliable texture

of the dough, the snap of the bean, the pang of the onion, the golden simmer of the tea.

He pleads with us to fully experience the taste, the tang, the sweet, the sour, the salt,

the savor of each pinch of seasoning,

every sprig of garnish,

each dash of our own secret ingredient.

And if our main dish falls to the floor

He shakes His head and reminds us with a reassuring laugh

of the five-second rule.

Then He helps us scoop our day back onto the serving platter

and we sit to feast on it together,

family style, in the middle of the messy kitchen,

as we share stories and a leisurely dessert

the He provides.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 Bon appetit!

4 Comments

The Conversation

Jennifer Valent says:

January 26, 2013 at 11:15 pm

Ok, I love this. I can hear the chairman saying, “Today… your pants will rip! Allez Cuisine!” Seriously, I agree… we all need to slow down, trust Him each step of the way and just watch how He makes our paths straight. Thanks, Lori!

Reply
Recovering Church Lady says:

January 27, 2013 at 12:20 am

So great Lori! I needed this today, thank you.
Susie

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Pam Manners says:

January 27, 2013 at 6:10 pm

Lori, this just made my day — thank you!

Your post put me in mind of a phrase I’ve heard. I don’t know the exact wording, but it’s along the lines of ‘what we want to microwave, God desires to slow cook.’

God’s grace & peace to you,
Pam M.

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Bethany Kaczmarek says:

January 27, 2013 at 6:50 pm

I needed this like MAD. Thank you so much for the timely reminder. Also, this. “…awkward sounding and larger than life but relaxed in the kitchen of our every day…”

Absolute poetry. I needed (and did not expect from “a short, short post for the stressed”) a lyrical elixir. The rhythm and truth in your words–the way you expressed them today–Beauty.

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