" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ... 'Love your neighbour as you love yourself.' Matthew 22:37b,39b, GNT

 

There are very few things in life that irk me more than unwanted advertisements, whether they are radio ads, television ads or those that pop up on the laptop screen while watching something. While reading the digital newspaper on my laptop a while ago, an advertisement popped up that caught my attention. It was a recipe for a seafood dish that looked very appetising. I am a bad chef, but fortunately, my wife is not.

 

While scanning through the recipe, it occurred to me that a recipe can be a good metaphor for faith. It consists of different ingredients, there is a preparation method and there are instructions on how to cook it. Every recipe is unique and is prepared and treated differently. Putting a leg of lamb in the oven differs quite substantially from baking a cake. The success of the finished product is determined by the quality of the ingredients and the skill and dedication of the person making it.

 

There is no question about the quality of the ingredients that God gave us to use in our life’s recipe – they are available in abundance. Our recipe book is a thick volume and there are many skilled people who can help us when we do not understand the instructions.

 

It is actually a very simple recipe and Jesus gave us the exact instructions, which are summed up in our verse for today. If we follow this 100%, we will never be stuck with something inedible. Unfortunately, even the best chef makes mistakes. We experience it every day in our lives and our faith, but then we can always go back to the original recipe book that God gave us and by studying and listen carefully to what God want us to do. The one thing that never works is trying to make religious fast food.

 

Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for giving us the very best ingredients and instructions to make our faith palatable and pleasing unto you. Amen.