Menu planning...

throughout my 17 years of marriage has gone in fits and spurts of workable plans. I'll print out, create, or purchase these elaborate meal planner organizers for The Planning of The Meals. Unfortunately, short-lived success of a couple of great weeks but no lasting plan seem to be the end result. I've consulted with older women for their wisdom, I've subscribed to email menu plans, and I've even tried the hit or miss method of working sequentially through a cookbook.

What I've learned through all of it, is that supper does not just happen. I have to be deliberate in my meal planning, my grocery purchasing, and then my meal preparation time. The consequence of lack of planning is bagel pizzas, bowls of cereal and cheese toast four nights out of seven. Maybe all right if you're a college student, but my husband appreciates the balanced meal plan of vegetables, starches and meats in regular proportions. And I know my weight does.

In a similar manner, Bible study does not just happen. When I talk to other women about their Bible study plans, many sound like my menu planning. Short-lived growth is usually the result. Lack of deliberate planning for time in God's word means study is reduced to the quick, microwaved version of the four and a half minute devotion, a three sentence prayer and no application.

I've been in that seat as well, when not knowing what to do was as overwhelming as boiling and deboning the chicken--all by myself. Not knowing where to go or how to begin, was as confusing as choosing between the sirloin tip roast or the chuck roast. It takes humility to ask the butcher for help, and it can take even greater humility to acknowledge the need for direction in Bible study. But the meal doesn't just happen--in either case. The believer must make a deliberate commitment to read, study, pray and apply. To treat God's Word as casual crumbs starves an eternal soul from the heavenly feast it is meant to have.

With the advent of every school year, churches all over offer a buffet of choices. Some choices make you feel good, but do not promote heart application or obedience. Some choices are hard to chew, but will grow necessary spiritual muscle for perseverance and faithfulness. A solid Biblical study of the Bible as the whole counsel of God is a veritable feast of great lasting worth to body, spirit and soul.

My son's memory verse from his Bible study speaks to this very thing. "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Mt 4:4 If we spent two-tenths the amount of time and diligence on the study of His Words as we do in the planning of menus, the purchasing of food, the preparing of meals, then our spirits would be fit and healthy rather than anorexic and immature. Our Biblical worldview would be robust and confident, rather than anemic and impoverished.

I pray that one of your main priorities for this year is the deliberate commitment to read, study, pray and apply God's Word to your life in obedient words, thoughts and actions so that He might be glorified! That's a meal worth sitting down to.