There is something about leftovers. You know, the food that was hot and yummy yesterday that has turned into someone's favourite meal. While for someone else, they wonder why there isn't something new for tonight's dinner.
I was the kid who didn't want leftovers, why can't mom (I'm an American, so mum if you're Australian) make something new? I had this tasty food last night, but why do we have to have it again? Can you hear the whining 7 year old say that?
"Mommmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyy whhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyy?" comes out of my mouth as she roles her eyes, as if to say: "Do you know what I have done today? Do you understand the things that I have done in your life to make it to this meal?"
Can we order pizza?
But, she didn't say that. She took the loving route and said: "Mommy didn't have time to make another meal tonight, but I promise that tomorrow I will make something really good". Of course the first thing that ran through my head and out of my mouth was: "Can we order pizza!?" As my excitement started to build and my world was now centred around the pizza that we may have for tomorrow night's dinner.
I think, through this simple analogy, we now have a small picture of a "normal" day in the life of God. As He deals with a never satisfied people always asking for pizza. There are two things I want to point out.
Don't settle
One: Too much pizza isn't good for us. We often settle for something that we have had before, something we know will satisfy in the moment but has no long term benefit. We do this, in the face of a God who is asking if we would take a home made meal from Him. Something new, something exciting, something we haven't had before and even though there is risk, we HAVE to start believing that it's better for us in the long run. The momentary satisfying, ordinary decisions are always on offer, the "easy" route. It's the risky, give me something new attitude God is looking for.
Two: We must recognise when leftovers are from God and when they aren't. Sometimes God wants us to chew over something for a longer period of time. He wants us to understand and start to live what He is teaching us. So if God is bringing something up in our lives over and over, it's for a reason. Leftovers can actually become our favourite meal, because we are starting to understand what God is teaching us. BUT, we can't stay still, when God is trying to tell us "I'll make you a new meal tomorrow". We must take it! We can go into the unknown, take a step forward and trust that God knows what He is doing.
For the record, I REALLY love pizza (the food that is) and leftovers has become one of my most favourite meals. Especially the day after Thanksgiving, sorry Australians, but my American friends will agree.
When that turkey is cold and those mashed potatoes and gravy are calling my name. When I realise I might as well just drench everything on my plate in gravy, I can almost taste it.
Challenge time
If you haven't read any of my articles, I give a small challenge to myself and the reader. Here's my challenge: Let's go after God's best and not be scared to try new things.
Jason LaLone is on staff at YWAM Brisbane. He is passionate about discipleship, taking Jesus's command to make disciples of all nations as a practical reality that he can live on a daily basis. He loves lasagna, cats and use to dislike Monday's, making him most like Garfield.
Jason LaLone's previous articles might be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jason-lalone.html