I Want Some of That

by Allen Boules

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of the Lord stands forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25

During my Journalism study days at the University of Oklahoma, a professor emphasized a writer of the word must strive to use proper and descriptive words to bring the reader into not only an understanding of what is being said but have a clear and definitive conception of what they are being told.

For example, the writer can just say, “She was baking an apple pie.” Or, with the proper and descriptive words, the reader will be led to smell the aroma of the pie in the oven, be drawn into the kitchen to see and understand the extent of the effort that has been put forth in the creation; view the succulent pastry clearly and exclaim, “I want some of that!”

My brothers and sisters, that is what the Bible, God’s truths, does for us. God tells us He has provided us a savior, He and His Son loves us, He wants a relationship with us and He has a plan for us. However, these truths will only come to us in the degree we allow them. Will our lives show God working in and through us or us remaining undisciplined writers?

Most of my life, I approached my relationship with God as “she was baking an apple pie.” I grew up going to church and knew about God. Unfortunately, I never took the time to know God. My understanding of God came from what a variety of pastors would say from the pulpit - ranging from a judgmental being, a bookkeeper of rights and wrongs to the creator of all things - and as the years progressed, less of God and more of current philosophy and doctrine. Not only did I not lead people to breathe in the delicious aroma of God’s word and partake of it, the fruit wasted away because I ignored reading His recipe.

In the almost mid-80’s, God drew me to Covenant and led me on a new journey. With His leading and Sandra’s nudging, I stepped from the foyer into God’s kitchen; in this situation, Covenant’s mixing of Navigators’ 2:7 studies and individual home bible studies. God’s word and caring people showed me I had a frayed belief system created by false teachers, friends and relatives and a deep dependence on self, which separated me from God. Eternal life is a gift; not something I must earn. The life I was living was not the life God wanted for me. As I earlier said, God has created us for one purpose: A love relationship with Him.

Then on Easter morning 1987, God poured the ingredients of my life into a mixing bowl. Pastor Roc Bottomly said to write down your wrongful deeds, acts and words on a piece of paper and pin it to the Cross. Jesus had bled and died on that Cross so my sins, past, present and future, would be forgiven, not just parts but all. I pinned the paper to the Cross and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. God had led me from experiencing an enticing aroma to wanting to taste what He has prepared for me. God has provided me a journey of challenges, times of success, times of failure (learning, growing), excitement, joy, peace, trust and hope which will be wilted grass and flowers compared to what awaits me in Heaven.

God has not gifted me one apple pie; He has created millions for me with aromas so sweet and filling, my plate spills over. He has brought and continues to bring godly people alongside me, revealing the truth of His word; the importance of being with Him daily; showing me how to walk the path He has created for me; showing me how to love others; and be a beacon to the lost, hurting and despairing of this world. We are told this world will have problems but do not despair because Jesus has overcome them all. The most awesome pie in the world will never compare to the times God reveals just the scripture, verse or word I need as the world attempts to discourage and mislead me. 

In such times as today, surprising to us but not God, James said in 1:2-6, “Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But, when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…” God has led me to pray when trials and tribulations come like sea billows roll, “Father how can I grow in you and glorify you in these circumstances instead of asking why they are occurring? Father thank you for allowing me in your kitchen. Father give me another slice of your plan.” Joy, peace, hope and reassurance come!

I pray my writing of how God loves us and Jesus paid a debt we cannot pay, will lead you to say, “I want some of that! I need all of that!” Read His Book daily, study, reflect on His word and communicate with Him through prayer. God is preparing fruit-filled lives for each of us: Tell Him you are ready and enjoy what He has prepared for you. Believe me, you cannot get too much of Him in your life. Come on in, He always has room for one more in the kitchen!