Savoring the Flavors of God’s Word
As a child, I cherished the excitement of potluck dinners at our church. The aroma of delicious dishes wafting from the kitchen would tantalize my taste buds, and I’d eagerly survey the spread, my eyes widening at the variety of options. Favorites like fried chicken, orange jello, and deviled eggs would bring a smile to my face, while others, like vegetables or unusual salads, would make me wrinkle my nose in distaste.
Freedom to Choose
But what I loved most about potlucks was the freedom to pick and choose what I wanted to eat. At home, my parents would insist I try a little of everything, even if I didn’t like it. Not so at the potluck, where I could indulge in desserts to my heart’s content and skip the veggies altogether. This sense of autonomy was exhilarating!
A Parallel with Scripture
Recently, as I reflected on my love for potluck dinners, I realized that I often approach God’s Word in a similar way. I feast on verses that bring me comfort and joy, like Lamentations 3:22-23, which reminds me of God’s faithful love and mercies. But I tend to shy away from verses that challenge me, like Matthew 5:44, which calls me to love my enemies.
The Danger of Selective Feasting
This selective approach to Scripture hinders my growth as a disciple. By cherry-picking the verses that resonate with me, I’m not allowing God’s Word to shape me fully. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2, I’m still stuck on milk, unwilling to move on to the solid food of spiritual maturity.
A Call to Spiritual Maturity
God’s Word is powerful and transformative, but I must be willing to engage with it fully, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging. I must not pick and choose what I like, but rather submit to its entirety. As I confess my tendency to approach God’s Word like a potluck dinner, I ask: Are you doing the same? Are you avoiding the verses that make you squirm, and only feasting on the ones that bring you comfort?
A Prayer for Spiritual Hunger
Lord, forgive me for approaching Your Word with a selective palate. Open my eyes and heart to all that You want to teach me. Help me to hunger for Your truth, even when it’s difficult to swallow. Amen.
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