FOOD FOR THOUGHT
(08/22/2010)
THE
YUM YUM LIFE
Cindy Hong
A few weeks ago a friend invited a few people
over for dinner, and because this friend likes to try new recipes, we
got to be guinea pigs for his stuffed mushrooms. These weren't measly
little mushrooms, but more like mushroom caps on steroids. The stuffing
wasn't just your stick-a-frozen-meatball-in-it kind of stuffing, but stuffing
made from scratch. Fresh jumbo lump crabmeat mixed with finely minced
green onions, flavored with a touch of lemon juice, lightly sautéed
with butter, bread crumbs, and dill. The mushroom cavities were generously
smothered with the savory stuffing, sprinkled with shredded Monterey Jack
cheese, and baked in a dry white wine to enhance the flavor. The finished
product was not only a sight to behold, but a taste that transported you
to a 5-star restaurant. No one seemed to be exercising the fruit of the
Spirit called self-control. A few days later I asked this friend for the
recipe, thinking it would be fun to recreate the classy appetizer dish.
After all, he made it look so easy; we showed up and a platter of stuffed
mushrooms glistened on the table ready to be savored. As soon as I started
reading the recipe, it quickly became obvious that there'd be no mushrooms
on my table. The recipe asked for too many ingredients and had too many
instructions. It would take too much effort going up and down the aisles
at Kroger to find all the ingredients. A whole bottle of white wine for
just a few ounces? A jar of dill for just a tad? Mushrooms to wipe clean
rather than soak in water? Too much work. It seemed so much easier to
open a can of mushroom soup for dinner. After sighing goodbye to the stuffed
mushrooms, I was reminded of the similarities between the mushrooms and
my attitude toward following Jesus. I'm willing, as long as someone carries
me along. Or feeds me. But if it calls for too much work on my part, I'll
easily opt for a can of soup instead. Yet we know if we're serious about
being Jesus' disciples, it will take effort. Not effort to earn salvation
or sanctification by any means, but effort to follow and obey his teachings.
Jesus said he came to offer abundant life. On one day last month that
abundant life included savory crab stuffed mushrooms. On other days, life
to the full can include perfect peace because we're trusting in him, living
unshaken because we're holding him before us, and drinking from an overflowing
cup because we're giving thanks continually. Perhaps we don't live like
this all the time, but it seems this kind of life could be possible with
Him in it…
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