Hi friends! Happy Friday! Hope you had a wonderful week š How are you enjoying “Taste and See”? Is it making you hungry?!
Margaret sure has a gift at making the scriptures come alive. She combines everything I love: the Bible, great storytelling, authenticity, and food! I love how she takes these Bible passages and unwraps them in a fresh way that makes you want to draw nearer to God. I hope you are enjoying this culinary journey as much as I m!
Without further ado, here are this week’s questions:
Chapter 1: An Invitation to a Culinary Adventure
*What was your most memorable meal?
*“In the hands of the Great Chef, food provides more than nourishment. It becomes a doorway to the divine and the gateway to transformation” (pg. 19). How do you view food? Had you considered that food and gathering around the table could be sacred?
*Margaret poses the question: “What are you really hungry for?” Truly ponder the question and journal your answer (or share here if you’d like!).
Chapter 2: A Flaky Filet of Fish (Taste and See God’s Power)
*Think back on your life. What are some miracles that Jesus has done in your life?
*”Accepting our powerlessness is a sacred discipline…He longs to display his power and might in our lives, but he won’t kick us off the throne if we’re committed to wearing the crown of control” (pg. 43). Where have you seen God show up in your life when you’ve relinquished control? Could it be peace He provided when you surrendered? Or an open door when you prayed for help?
*Though we know that everything we have is a gift from God, we can be tempted to worship what we receive or long for what we don’t have. The author recounts the story of Moses and the Israelites and their desire for fish. Moses warned them not to “worship any fish” (pg. 31). Had you ever considered that something you did not have could become an idol? Is there an area of life where you need to heed this warning?
*Margaret discusses that fish are a symbol of Jesus’s miracles but also a symbol of how he desires for us to see him in the simple and ordinary things (such as food). As the disciples gave up their livelihood to follow Jesus, they witnessed his miracles. What does it say to you about God that he unleashes his power in the midst of our daily routines?
Scripture of the Week
John 21:4-6
Deuteronomy 4:16-18
Prayer of the Week
Father, You are powerful and we are so thankful that You choose to display Your power in our everyday lives. Help us to have open eyes to see You at work and please help us to relinquish our crown of control. We know You have a vantage point that we don’t have so we can’t know everything. We are safe in Your hands and we can obey and do Your will without fear of being without. Thank You for the gift of food and the way that You provide nourishment for our bodies and soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Week
*Read Chapters 3 and 4
Have a great weekend, friends!
Iām pretty brave when it comes to food: Iāll try anything at least once. š And when it comes to food I enjoy, the range is almost as broad as my music palette.
Food meets our physical needs, but as the author says, āā¦we hunger for so many things that extend beyond physical appetite.ā (Page 16) For me, food tastes best when itās shared with those I care about. Itās as if in every bite – amidst conversations with those important to me – a part of my soul is being refreshed. The deeper hunger begins to show its face, and the craving only increases the longer I chew.
So what am I really hungry for?
Lately my answers have been real, but as I think about them now, they seem somewhat shallow. I am hungry for peace and quietā¦and sanity! I am hungry for my teens to make intelligent choices so I donāt have to deal with their unintelligent ones. I am hungry for solitude and silenceā¦and less stress! š
But in the midst of all that, Iām holding too tightly onto control. Iām ācommitted to wearing the crown of controlā (Page 43), and because of that, God can only do so much with and in me.
Iāve been mulling over the idea that āaccepting our powerlessness is a sacred discipline.ā (Page 43) Itās not our job to be – nor can we be – powerful. That may be upsetting at first, but when we realize itās not in us, or up to us – and let that sink in for awhile – we can begin to feel a sense of freedom.
God āshows upā in our daily lives all the time. The issue is whether we are looking at or for Him in the midst of everything going on. Weāre not ever going to get everything we want – even if those things are good. If we get so fixated on what we lack, though, weāll not only never be happy, but even worse, weāll always be emotionally empty.
God wants to fill us up, with Himself. And if Iām too distracted by my goals, my problems, my agendas, Iām the one missing out.
He sees all things – as ugly as they can be at times – and yet He is all-good, all-powerful, and all-knowing. He canāt – wonāt – control any of us, but beckons us to come to Him in the midst of the madness. Because that is where we can begin to taste and see who He truly is.
I can totally relate to feeling that my hunger seems shallow; I tend to want my own comfort above all. I don’t want to persevere or put much effort! Embarrassing to admit but true. Even with my kiddos, I wish I wasn’t needed so much and could just do what I want (relax, watch TV, anything besides doing for someone else!). It’s hard because it is a control issue underneath it all. Even when I’m angry, it seems like it’s a way to feel control over situations. But I do need to accept it’s not even about me. If I hold comfort as an idol, then it’s my heart that needs to change. And that’s my issue to take up with God and allow Him to help me with. It’s not about being frustrated over everything I am needed for.
I want to have eyes wide open to what God is doing! I want to focus on that rather than on any lack or frustration! It’s been a struggle of going back to Him again and again as my vision blurs and I need His clarity again. I love how this book is using food to grow my faith and keep my eyes open!