Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

I thought of a most interesting picture to illustrate faith in our walk with Jesus.  Do you enjoy eating?  Do you enjoy eating really good stuff?  How about cooking and making delectable delights that when you take a bite it’s like a party in your mouth?  That is how Gene, a dear friend of ours in Montana describes the taste of Maracuja Mousse, made from a Brazilian passion fruit.

I enjoy cooking but I’m not in the same league with my wife.  She makes some amazing things.  But one thing she loves, important to this picture this morning, is a kitchen fully equipped with everything she needs to make anything she wants.  Some dishes require a blender, while others a food processor or a mixer and of course two ovens.  This kitchen we are picturing also contains all the gadgets that any recipes would require.

Then there are the ingredients and the seasonings – and again, nothing is missing!  No matter what recipe is to be made, the ingredients and seasoning are there.  And speaking of recipes, of course the cookbooks and recipes are all there too.  And the cookbooks tell you exactly how to do anything that needs to be done.  [Side point: If you’re a guy and don’t like to cook, picture having a room in your basement or garage with every repair tool imaginable and the instructions and ability to use them]

Now we’re in the kitchen and a dish is ordered and we have no idea what it is.  But instead of saying “I can’t do that” the response is to look for the recipe and then find the ingredients and seasonings we need and the pans, utensils or equipment needed to make it.  They are all there.  God has provided everything needed for any recipe we encounter.  His complete provision (equipping) is the given in our lives.

We find ourselves in the situation that no matter what food dish is called for, we can do it.  Even if we don’t understand something in the recipe, the Lord provides understanding when we look to Him.  Our faith is in Him because no matter what we encounter He has provided what we need.  Think of the joy that comes from such an understanding.  No matter what comes our way, we can face it because Jesus has given us everything we need.

Suppose we have a nagging issue and nothing seems to resolve it.  We need to recognize that the ‘food dish’ being asked for isn’t primarily a resolution to the problem, but a righteous, faith-filled response by us in its absence until it comes.  What are we like while we’re dealing with the problem?  All of the little ‘crises’ that come along are all ‘food dish’ requests where God has provided everything we need in our ‘spiritual kitchen’ to respond in a way pleasing to Him.