RELIGION Fixing Your Own Meals
By GARY S. HATRICK
Last month, we talked about two-way communication with God. He speaks to us through His Word, and we speak to Him in prayer. When, however, are we to do this? It is true enough that I Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing.” Having a continual attitude of reaching out to the Father is certainly in view here. (I find that the character of Tevye in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” displays this kind of relationship splendidly.)
Let’s bring this concept down to a human level as much as we are able. Say a husband and wife or a couple of best friends work together. As they go through the day, carrying out their tasks, they will have to talk to one another to make plans and solve problems. They will be in regular contact, and that is excellent. Yet, if there is never a time when they just sit down and talk and spend time getting to know one another’s desires, hopes and dreams, likes and dislikes, and just enjoying one another’s company, their relationship will grow stale. It may not cease to exist, but it will grow stagnant. People looking in from the outside may say they have great communication, but they know they do not.
In the same way, praying without ceasing should incorporate intimate communication with God. This is no great insight. It has been taught for years. We generally call this time a quiet time or devotions. This is a great time for the two-way communication we spoke of last month. Many people will use a daily devotional for this quiet time, like “Our Daily Bread” or one of the many devotionals available, such as “Morning and Evening” by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. These are good, and I would never discourage the use of devotionals. Ecclesiastes 12:11 says: “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.”
But once again, let me bring this down to a human, day-to-day level again. We all must eat, but what would you say to a friend or loved one who eats only TV dinners or prepares foods from the frozen section of the grocery store, or even fast food? It is all food. It will keep you alive (We’ll ignore the death knell of additives and salt for this purpose), but you will not remain strong. Something happens to the food when it is prepared, frozen, and shipped. It is not as good, nor as hearty, nor as healthy as a good home-cooked meal.
This is what daily devotionals are spiritually. Someone prepared them, and they were perfectly good, but warmed up, they aren’t nearly as satisfying or as healthy. If you never cook, you may not be able to relate, but trust me, those who do cook know that there is something wonderful and not just healthy about a meal you have prepared yourself. Yes, there is work, and it takes time, and it can be inconvenient, but the rewards are great.
Your quiet time or devotions should not consist entirely of someone else’s warmed-up spiritual insights. You need to let the Lord speak to you Himself through your own hands-on time in His Word. Go ahead and use the devotionals, but let them be a side dish, not the main course. There are a variety of ways you can structure your quiet time. Look online or contact your pastor, a Christian friend, or me, or just sit down and say, “Lord, here I am. Help me get to know you.”
Get a notebook, write down the recipes that the Lord shares with you. You will be filled, and you will grow healthy, and your relationship with the Lord will grow vibrant. Before I close, let me say this to those who do not have devotions at all: How strong would you be if you ate nothing? “Oh,” you might say, “but I go to church every Sunday.” How much vitality would you have on just Sunday dinners, no matter how good they may be? You are losing out on spiritual strength and on your relationship with God. If you don’t really care, you should check out II Corinthians 13:5.
(This column has been written to Christians, but all questions and comments are welcome. Send them to
