Saturday, April 13, 2013

Eat patat!


Eat patat.
What?!”
Eat patat.
I recognized that whisper as the voice of God, but surely I was mixing in my own words or desires; God couldn't possibly be asking me to break my fast and eat patat, especially when it sounded so good... definitely a temptation; a test.
What's wrong? Why won't you do it? What are you waiting for?
Well, I can't. I'm fasting. It's tempting, but the answer is no.”
It wasn't a suggestion, Stephanie. I am telling you to go order patat. I want to share it with you...
Absurd. Outrageous. A God who wants me to order French Fries... really?!
Fine. I'll do it. But I'll have You know that I'm not to blame for breaking my fast! This wasn't my idea, but Yours!” (Indignation).
(Smile).

I ordered a plate of hot, crispy French Fries, with a glob of mayonnaise on the side, and took a seat on the sand, in plain view of the sea.  The waves crashed onto the shore in rhythmic synchronization, soothing to my restless soul, while the sun shone brightly in the blue sky, making the water sparkle and shine.  I gave thanks and put the first salty, deep-fried chunk of goodness into my mouth, all the while wondering why God had asked me to eat...

Don't you see? It's not about the food. I wanted to show you that I know what you want... and I care. It's My pleasure to give you good things. I am for you, not against you. My desire is to bless you; what's on your heart matters!
Well, the deepest longing of my heart isn't exactly a plate of French Fries, but I can see where this is going...
Then why the fasting?”
The fasting was a call for you to come to Me.  It's not supposed to be something you do out of duty, but a deep thirst for more - a holy dissatisfaction.  I want you to desire Me more than you desire indulging yourself. I want to be more important than food. You wouldn't have come here today if you hadn't set aside special time for Me. You would have been too busy, and I wouldn't have been able to show you that I care about your heart...

It's true. I put off fasting because who really likes to go without food?! I finally gave in, and when I woke up today, I followed that whisper in my heart to go to the beach. “We're not in tropical paradise here, God” was my response, but the whisper in my heart kept calling me to the shore. On a whim, I decided to follow it; after all, I was fasting and had no other plans. The five hours I spent at the beach were like a tropical vacation to my soul. What I really needed was just to connect with my Creator. To stop and listen; to know that He cares about my heart. I didn't leave the country. I wasn't gone overnight. All I had to eat or drink was a simple plate of patat. My “vacation-in-a-day” cost a grand total of 15 euros and 20 cents, yet I learned a truth that I won't soon forget, and my soul feels refreshed! God never ceases to surprise me... French Fries. He cares about my heart; and what I want matters to Him!



Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

0 comments:

Post a Comment