Welcome to my kitchen. You’ll notice that my oven sits directly below my microwave. You will also notice that its paint is chipping, and that the dish towel on the left has its own unique bleach spotted pattern.This is my reality and represents where I am and what I want to become. Spiritually speaking, I resemble a microwave. I want to be an oven.
My beautiful microwave and oven.
James 1:22-25 says:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
Just “nuke it”: the appeal
My desire to prepare meals from scratch is non-existent. I believe that eating out every night of the week is a totally acceptable discipline. This is why I have such a fond affection for my microwave. It heats up pre-made food quickly. None of the fuss and none of the mess. I can “nuke it” and move on with life.
The same cannot be said about my oven. The food that I place in there is painstakingly cleaned, measured, peeled, and stirred. If I actually make it to this point in the recipe, I have to then cook the food at a predetermined temperature–which takes forever to do. Now, I will admit that the wait is worth it. The end result tastes better than nuked food. Yet I do not like to wait. As I stare at the timer, my “nuke it” tendencies beckon to me once again.
Just “nuke it”: the danger
Sometimes I approach the Word of God with a “nuke it” type attitude. I read it, absorb it quickly, swallow it, and then move on. But move on to what?
What could possibly be more important?
If I am not careful, I can jump from one Bible study workbook to another. Sure, one particular day of homework convicts me or grabs my attention. But I move on, quickly swallowing this verse and underlining that point. At the end of various studies, I have actually found myself thinking: what did I really learn or has my attitude or actions really changed?
Can you relate?
It is not the Bible study author’s fault. It is my fault. I approached the study with a “nuke it” attitude.
Unfortunately, there are times when I bring this same attitude with me to church. I can remember thinking: well that sermon just did not move me or speak to me. Oh, Tracy. Whenever the Word of God is preached from the pulpit, how could I not be moved or convicted?
I am not moved or convicted because I did not let the Word of God cook in my heart during the days that followed. I chose to “nuke” the Word of God instead.
A One Degree moment:
God took centuries to lovingly and meticulously compile the Scriptures that we feast upon today. Why do I flip through the Bible like a magazine, or treat it like an intriguing billboard?
I don’t want to be a mere hearer, but a doer. In order for this to happen, I must take my time in God’s Word. I need to allow my heart and mind to be peeled and stirred by my Heavenly Father. I need to allow God’s Word to cook in me.
Like James wrote above, I want to taste God’s blessing in my life. I pray that your spiritual tastebuds desire blessing too…
My challenge to you:
Pick 1 verse from a recent Bible study, devotion, blog, or book that recently challenged you. Strive to memorize and meditate on just that 1 verse for at least 1 week. I pray that it would cook in your heart and equip you to be a doer of what it says; enabling you to bring glory to your Heavenly Father.
Good morning, so very blessed by your sharing this morning! I know exactly what you mean, I get up some mornings and I take the time I need to and spend time in our Lord’s Word, so I can hear from Him. Yet, many, many more mornings I get up and rush into my day allowing the “nuking idea” to be way too plentiful! I am going to take your challenge this week and I have picked verses 1 through 3 from Isaiah 61:
The Year of the LORD’s Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
I have tried to memorize and mediate on these 3 verses before. My mind and heart have the concept of what they say and yet they are not officially living in my heart.
I will strive this week to allow the our Lord’s Holy Spirit to plant them deep into my heart so that my life will truly allow Him to shine! More of Him and less of me for my world to see!
Love you greatly, dear girl, have a truly blessed day and week and know that you are in my prayers.
Love, t
Hi Terry: Thank you for sharing this passage from Isaiah. I am adding it to my “no longer nuking” list. I love the phrase “oaks of righteousness.” How I desire to become an “oak” some day! Speaking of “oaks,” I want you all to know that I have known Terry since I was a little girl. She has consistently shown me what it looks like to live for Jesus Christ. She is an “oak” and I am honored that she shared with us today. Blessings as you allow God’s word to “cook” in your heart this week, Terry!
Hi Tracy!
My favorite verse in the past week has been Psalm 27:8 NLT My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
It just gets me SO excited! I am simply wanting to run an sit with Him more… and listen! Thanks for sharing such a great analogy sister! -Blessings, Amy
Thank you Amy! I just spent some time in Psalm 27, but focused on verses 4 & 14. So I appreciate you pointing out verse 8. I would love to go back to that chapter and camp there for awhile! I also love how David responds here. He didn’t respond with “I will come to you after I ___”. He just simply said “I am coming.” Reminds me of when Jesus called the disciples and they dropped their nets to follow Him. I would be honored to pray the following with you:
Lord, I pray that you will help Amy and me to obey your command to come and commune with you immediately and without hesitation. Forgive us when we tarry. Continue to change us into the women you desire us to be,one degree at a time. I thank you for Amy’s passion for you God. Fill her today Lord with your presence! Amen.
Amy also blessed me earlier today with her latest blog post. I encourage all of you to stop in and read her thoughts by clicking on the following link. I pray it encourages you, like it did me!
http://www.fullherlife.com/2012/04/12/warm-healing/
We are so “nuke” oriented. I want my faith to grow quickly, my ministry to take off tomarrow and my trials to get over with in a week. I’ve gone through much impatience with God. I’ve realized it’s my internal microwave pushing my desires. We are more healthy when our spiritual lives live organically in the garden of His word, instead of a flash frozen faith, heated up in 5 minutes when needed. Thanks Tracy! Great post!
I love your comments-beautifully put. I agree “that living organically in the garden of His Word” is more healthy for us on so many levels. His Word is abundantly life giving…we can harvest much from it! Praying to rid myself of “flash frozen faith.” Blessings Suzanne 🙂