FOLLOW THE RECIPE

The other day I saw a recipe that I just had to try.  I’m not a cook by nature so I don’t know how to make substitutions nor do I understand all of the cooking jargon. 

 
The recipe called for a bakers pan.   I didn’t even know what a baker’s pan was and I wanted to know if what I had would work.  One part of the recipe seemed strange to me.   You were to cook potatoes at a high temperature then added raw chicken and cooked at a lower but still moderately high temperature for a few minutes.  I hate moist chicken and am afraid of undercooked chicken.
 
I called my daughter, a culinary graduate, for a better understanding and to express my concerns. She first asked where I got the recipe.   I told her it was from a well known source acknowledged for their food and recipes, and not from a friend.  She said, trust the source and follow the recipe as it is.  Her response revealed the guilt in my heart. 

I began to laugh and told her that I was doing this recipe how I, and many like me, do God’s Word.  I read the recipe and because it didn’t seem right to me, I second guessed it and tried to make substitutions and alterations.  I already admitted that I don’t have adequate cooking knowledge and dare question an expert.  I failed to consider the source and that someone, a real cook, has tested and tried that recipe before printing it. 

 
The same can be said for God’s Word and instructions for our lives. He has expert knowledge of the past, present and future and can change any one with a nod.  His Word has given us simple instructions on how to live pleasing to Him and how to be prosperous while in this world.   We dare to second guess and make substitutions and alterations His plan like I did that recipe.
 
I followed the recipe to the letter and it came out delicious and perfect to my taste.  That leads me to believe, that if we follow the instructions of God without second guessing them or make substitutions and alterations, our lives will achieve the expected end God has in mind (Jeremiah 29:11).