FIRE UP THE GRILL

I like to grill all-year-around here in Oklahoma, because it’s usually warm. Most of my friends who live on the East Coast are not blessed with this type of weather; but, it will soon be spring! I'm so excited that “grunt, grunt, grunttt, ohhh yeaahh” (in that wonderful Tim Allen, manly grunt tone) soon there will be backyard and camp grill sounds all over the nation. In the springtime, the grills and smokers are firing up and that fresh smell of charcoal, wood, or propane gas fills the air.  There will be a wonderful aroma of cooking flesh being seared, slathered, or smoked to perfection with a generous portion of garden vegetables and all kinds of assorted fruits hitting the metal grates. The smell will fill the sky of the backyards of thousands of people, during the spring and summer, with this elixir of yum, yummy, yummyness.  Can you tell I like all aspects of grilling and smoking? 

The wonderful preparation that goes into making a grilled meal can be as simple and quick as a 15-minute marinade or it can take day(s) of lovingly, methodically, and painstakingly prepping vegetables, fruit, and a variety of protein sources from beef, chicken, or pork to a “family favorite” seafood. There is something about FIRE and MEAT; it’s very PRIMAL in essence. “Fire, Fire, Fire” - I hear the voice of MTV’S Beavis, from Beavis and Butthead of my youth.

I am reminded of the story about the 10 virgins waiting for the Bridegroom to come in Matthew 25: 1-13 (MSG) It reads: 

“The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night when ten girls took their oil lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom. 2Five of the girls were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil. 4The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps. 5The groom was late arriving, and the girls became drowsy and fell asleep. 6Then in the middle of the night, someone shouted, "Here's the groom! Come to meet him!" 7When the girls got up and started getting their lamps ready, 8the foolish ones said to the others, "Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out." 9The girls who were wise answered, "There's not enough oil for all of us! Go and buy some for yourselves." 10While the foolish girls were on their way to get some oil, the groom arrived. The girls who were ready went into the wedding, and the doors were closed. 11Later the other girls returned and shouted, "Sir, sir! Open the door for us!" 12But the groom replied, "I don't even know you!" 13So, my disciples, always be ready! You don't know the day or the time when all this will happen.”

My Thot: is twofold - First, you never know when the Lord’s return will be and like it says in verse 13, “so...always be ready!”  Second, be like the wise virgins who brought enough lamp oil and who were prepared even if there was a long wait. For us, life is like a fine meal that takes time to marinate, to grill, or smoke. Don’t rush God. Let Him work in you. After all, He knows what He is doing. You will not be sorry or half baked. I think of the plaque in my old kitchen that says, “Life is a journey, enjoy it.” Friend, as much as it hurts at times, enjoy the journey you're on! Comment below and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to receive blog updates in your inbox. 

Until next time grabs a FREE Refill of the King's Brew @ the Soul Cafe.