As I looked
around, it was obvious that some sort of theft or robbery had
invaded our home life. Our house was always disheveled and out
of order, bills were strewn about and constantly behind, and our
spending was extravagant and out of control. There was little
attention given to corporate fasting or family outings and the
television served as our live-in babysitter. We were in a spiritual
mess! God was letting me know that 'the natural' is the best indicator
of 'the spiritual.'
William
and I quickly recognized that we didn't need a family therapist;
but the Counselor profiled in Isaiah 53. We had to repent and
refocus our attention and affection upon the Lord. As a family,
we had to learn, all over again, to come closer to the One who
knows us best and to trust Him to breathe new life into us individually
and corporately. And that's what began to happen. Not over night,
but day-by-day unexplainable peace and clearer priorities began
to fill our home again.
First,
we cut off all electronic noises and opened our Bible in personal
study. The Word of God and a weekly Family Night became a non-compromised
commitment. William and I learned to take a $20 bill and treat
ourselves to what we jokingly coined, "a just-gotta-get-a-way."
Our special time would often take place on a Saturday morning.
We'd start with breakfast at McDonald's, then travel to Annapolis,
Maryland (the closest metropolitan town) to pick up a coveted
(used) item or two from the thrift store and end with a midday
retreat at Barnes & Noble (browsing through new books and
reading "hot off the press" magazines).
This time
refreshed us deeply and renewed our affections for the things
we loved--even with little bit of money. The natural order gave
us a reassuring wink that our spiritual lives had once again become
pleasing to our Lord.
From
Soul Food and Living Water, by Yolanda Powell and William J. Powell,
a Focus on the Family book.
Jesus
Paid It All!
Jesus
is the only One who can feed our hungry souls and quench our thirsty
spirits. He doesn't ask a lot of questions or make immediate demands.
Nor does he require an application or I.D. card. Spiritual nourishment
flows instantly out of His Being, without cash or credit, to fill
up every barren and lacking place--just for the asking!
When
ministering God's Word to young children, I (Yolanda) always tell
them that the Lord God is the World Greatest Chef and that I'm
His waitress! He prepares exactly what each person needs and He
does it with succulent flair! All I do is serve each exquisite
dish with a servant-heart. And I'm always astonished at the scrumptious
dishes He can whip out to replenish the bruised or fortify the
weak.
There's
a special thrill in receiving an unexpected dinner invitation
to your favorite ritzy restaurant from a cherished and "loaded"
friend. For one night, you toss the pots and pans in the cupboard
and throw fast food to the curb. On this exciting evening, you
have the luxury of ordering your favorite appetizer, entrée
and dessert from the pricey menu. You feast on fabulous cuisine
and enjoy great conversation without worrying about your own cash
flow or credit card limits. It's all taken care of-carte blanche!
By the time the cappuccino arrives; you are feeling thoroughly
satisfied and richly blessed from head to toe.
Times
like these don't have to be rare at all, because the True and
Living God is our cherished Friend and well-endowed Savior! He
always picks up the tab when it comes to spiritual dining. Never
forget that we were created to feast on both natural and spiritual
food. Our heavenly Father, who formed us in His own image and
likeness, knows we need "spiritual nourishment" to sustain
our spiritual well being. Jesus taught that, "Man cannot
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the
mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4 KJV).
There
is more to you and me than an outer shell. As many Bible teachers
explain, humanity was created as a tripartite being with three
distinct elements that comprise our makeup. We live in a body
(which needs physical food like baked chicken, collard greens
and potato salad); we have a mind (that feeds on the intellectual
food of books, poetry and technology); but our essence is spirit
(requiring the daily, spiritual food of God's Living Word). In
order for us to mature in a dynamic relationship with the Lord
of Life, we must learn to feast heartily on the sustenance of
His Holy Scriptures.
African-American
culture is known for its superb soul food recipes, delicious baked
cakes and mouth-watering pies. We bring a 'spirit of excellence'
to the traditional Soon-As-Church-Is-Over-Sunday-Dinner, Friday-Night-Fish-Fry
and Down-Home-Bar-B-Cue. These meals are always prepared well
and presented with all the trimmings! Yet, the same expertise
and flawless preparation that we bring to "feeding our faces"
must also be applied to communing with our God! We can only grow
and increase spiritually by learning to "enter in" and
"sup" with the Master in His private chambers.
How
can we live as the Bride of Christ (fully adorned without spot,
wrinkle or blemish) unless daily time in the Word and Prayer has
become like breathing, bathing and brushing our teeth? Christ
alone is our Soul Sustainer! He is fresh food for the soul and
living water for the spirit!
I
believe you are an overcomer in Christ. So, as the redeemed of
the Lord, "say so" by the way you live out our faith!
Lift up your lift head, clean up your house, love your spouse
and train your children! Jesus paid your tab and cleared up all
your debts. So, don't let anything keep you from accepting His
special dinner invitation. You must come boldly and confidently
to the Banqueting Table of God! A place is set for you right now.
The dinner bell is ringing and a linen card is set with your name
on it. Enjoy the splendor of the moment and the special mealtimes
the Master has prepared just for you. Simply receive the spiritual
nourishment He offers you day by day. It’s time to ‘Come
and Dine’ with Him alone.
From
Soul Food and Living Water, by Yolanda Powell and William J. Powell,
a Focus on the Family book.
