It's a pity we live in a fast-food world, where little care, love or preparation goes into preparing a main course. A true chef's delight is in his ability to put together the necessary ingredients that create the finished work. When a chef finishes creating a main course, what he sees and what you see are two different things. You've been waiting. You have no idea of what's going on behind the scenes. You're wondering if the course is as good as people say it is. Maybe the chef's not at all what they say he is. You're thinking: I came a long way for this, so it'd better be good. And when it comes all you can think of is satisfying your hunger and curiosity. The chef sees a creation, a masterpiece. He's worked meticulously to make sure every ingredient has been measured and added correctly. Timing is everything. The climate has to be right. "It is finished," he thinks to himself when it's done, and one more person will eat of his toil and sacrifice. John 4:1-42 has a wonderful recipe for every person who desires to be one of God's chefs, someone who would be willing to momentarily set aside his own goals to pursue that of the Father's. While the disciples thought of physical hunger and thirst, Jesus dealt with the spiritual hunger and thirst of an individual.

Unlike us, Jesus immediately initiates the conversation. He is compassionate to the Samaritan woman's need for water and offers to provide it (v. 10). Without challenging her questions, He informs her she is wrong in her preconceived notions about who can have a relationship with God (vs. 11-13). She asks to have her thirst quenched (v. 15). He brings her to admit her sin, teaches her how true Christians should worship and brings both her and many others into a relationship with Him as the main course for their lives (vs. 14-42). What kind of food have you had on your plate lately? Have you delighted in only having Christ served as the main course of your life? Have you taken the time to prepare the ingredients He's provided you with to serve others the food that will allow Him to finish His work? As you partake of dinner with friends or relatives tonight, think of the ingredients that great Chef used in bringing us into a relationship with Him: a wooden cross, a set of nails, a crown of thorns, vinegar, a sign, a sprinkling of blood, our sins and His son. Never forget God's recipe for your salvation...it's in His priceless name that we pray this.

By Tony Batista
http://nazirite.faithweb.com

Tony's poems have appeared in both secular and Christian journals, including The Connecticut Poetry Review, Footprints, Black Bear Review, Skylark and others. To receive the on-line "Word of the Day" I help publish, please send e-mail to: liony38@aol.com

If God is speaking to your heart about these things, and you need somebody to talk with, please don't hesitate to e-mail us about your need and somebody from the Fellowship will contact you as soon as possible.  If you have a prayer request or would like to start a theological discussion on this or any other topic please feel free to post it in our Message Boards.