Not On the Menu
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,…..” Ephesians 1:4
Every master chef knows the importance of having a well-planned menu. The purpose of the menu is to inform everyone exactly what they can expect to receive from that particular establishment. Therefore when one glances at the menu they can determine the type of facility, the expertise of the chief, as well as the clientele who frequent it. We also understand that we can’t order an item that is not listed on the menu – and become upset if that item is either not available or not prepared to our liking. The master chef will only order the essential ingredients which are required to properly prepare those items listed on the menu. Now an experienced chef will on occasion, use some of the ingredients which were purchased for one item and prepare something that is not listed on the menu. However, this is not always possible. For example; you can’t become distraught if a fast food restaurant doesn’t fulfill your request for a fresh seafood order. Why? It isn’t on their menu.
So it is with our lives. God who is our Master Chef has a well-planned menu for lives. As the scripture text states; even before the foundation of the world – God had already written the menu for each and every one of our lives. Therefore He knows which ingredients to include in our lives that will permit us to produce the highest quality of life. He knows a forehand which circumstances, experiences, trials and the like to include on our menus of life. He also knows: because He is God, the decisions that we will make in every given situation. However, because we already have a well-planned menu, when we make contrary choices in our lives; God has the ability to use those choices to still yet perfect His plan for our lives. He’ll take our burnt bread; scrap off the overly browned portions; cut it onto squares and use it for croutons! He’s the Master Chef and therefore knows exactly how to perfect everything in our lives…..if we permit Him to!
Therefore, when you feel as though you are on the verge on becoming overwhelmed and going out of your mind – just know that a nervous breakdown can’t occur…..it’s not on your menu!
When you feel as though you “can’t” – just know that failure is not on your menu.
When you feel as though everything is just taking too long to materialize – just remember that the best sauces must simmer for hours; and endurance IS on your menu!
When you feel as though the bottom has fallen out of your world and every stable foundation has been shaken – just relax… God is just trying to get your attention so that He can elevate you to the next page of your menu!
Learn to rest in the Lord and in what He is doing at this stage of your life. We must remember that God had not “mass produced” us. Therefore, we aren’t to compare our menu items with anyone else’s. Although they may appear to be similar on the surface – because we are all uniquely made, so are our menus. We aren’t to be compared to the “chain” stores which all possess the same menus. Yes, we are all God’s kids – but we are all so different!.... He planned it that way!
So it doesn’t matter how your circumstances may currently appear to you – simply remember that God is only attempting to get you to produce every item on your menu….. your entire menu. You can’t simply produce the appetizers from your menu of life. It’s now time to advance to the soup and then go from soup to nuts!
Comments