Read the Recipe

How does God teach us His way? We read the recipe. I have a recipe for homemade strawberry ice cream that is simply the best! One time, years ago I mixed the ingredients, handed it off to my husband who put it in the ice cream freezer, added the ice and rock salt to the outside, plugged it in and voila--delicious strawberry ice cream for us to enjoy on a beautiful summer day. However, that first bite told me something was off. "What is wrong with this? Something is odd. It doesn't even taste sweet." Then my husband simply asked, "Did you remember to add the sugar?"

How easy it is to get off track when I forget to carefully read the recipe. The same is true of my spiritual life. God has given me the recipe--He has taught me His way. He's given me His word--the Bible. If I want to walk in His truth I need to read the recipe, follow the directions.

This verse goes on to ask of God, "Give me an undivided heart, that I might honor your name." There are many times my heart is divided. Carolyn-thinks-of-herself pops up at the most inopportune times. I might be having kind, loving, generous God-thoughts and up pops this thought that says my inner selfishness is wanting its own way. God, give me an undivided heart. When my heart wants my own selfish way instead of Your way help me to choose Your way. Help me to want Your way more than I want my way. Let me find joy in following You; I put my trust in You. Thank You that Your love for me is so great that You have already delivered me from myself. Thank You that I can be like You, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (verse 15).

Today, I choose to read the recipe, follow the directions and have an undivided heart.