MY STEAK SIZZLES
“You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies. You anoint my
head with oil; my cup overflows.”
 Psalm 23:5

Napoleon Bonaparte once said that “an army marches on its stomach.” He recognized that an army is only as strong as the food it eats; no food, no strength. God’s army operates under the same principle. We need to feed at God’s table so we are prepared to accomplish our mission. The first course is the “salad” that “screams” for us to prepare. God gives us an empty plate, which is an open mind for Him to fill with a good education, lots of experience, the skills to overcome failure and then He drizzles it all with the oil of spirit-filled affirmations. The main course is a “steak” that “sizzles” with substance; it’s our mission. An important assignment that we were uniquely designed, gifted and empowered to accomplish. My task may be different from yours but similar to someone else’s, but we all have a mission. I want you to take some time this week to think about the “steak” on your plate in light of the “salad” you have enjoyed over the years.  
 
Select the cut (your abilities)…
 
Everyone has a favorite steak. There are plenty of different cuts to choose from, but for me there is nothing better than a perfectly marbled rib-eye. In our illustration the “cut” is not as important as what it represents in our life; our God given talents, abilities and spiritual gifts. Again, God made each of us differently for a reason. He even gave us varied personalities for specific reasons. Personally, I’m glad that He did. It would be a pretty boring if we all looked, acted and thought the same way. I guess it’s true that variety really is the spice of life. But with all of that said we need to be good stewards of our abilities; understanding them, improving them and investing them for good.   
 
Tenderize thoroughly (your heart)...
 
A good cook knows how to tenderize a cut of meat depending on its use. The same is true in ministry. God knows our abilities (the cut of meat) and then He tenderizes our heart for the ministry He wants us to perform. If you would have asked me years ago what ministry I would invest my life in my response would have been far different than it is today. God has used every choice I’ve made in life, good and bad, to tenderize my heart for the ministry that’s on my plate. It’s as if he salted me, pounded me and then rubbed my heart with special herbs and spices until I was just what He wanted me to be; willing and able. You see sometimes we are “able” long before we are “willing” or we are “willing” before we are “able.” God waits until we are both before he places us on the grill.
 
Encounter with fire (your mission)...
 
Once a steak has been selected (our abilities) and tenderized (our will) it’s ready to encounter the fire (our mission). God’s timing is perfect; we are always in the right place, at the right time, even if we oblivious to it at first glance. That’s a good reason why He’s God and we’re not! A great steak is evenly grilled so every bite is perfect. God allows the fire to touch every part of our being as well. From the top of our heads to the tip of our toes, each area of our life is transformed by the flames not consumed. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed in your ministry consider your position above the fire; are you too close to the flames or are you avoiding God’s desire to flip you over so you have a better perspective on life? Perhaps you are even on the wrong grill. It’s so easy in life to get caught up in pleasing people by agreeing to do something we are not called by God to do.  
 
 
Ample portions (your influence)…
 
Inside every person is a gauge. It tells us when we are full and when we need to eat a little more. Unfortunately, most of us don’t listen to the gauge. We eat too much and feel terrible or we eat too little and end up weak or sick. God wants our “steak” to be just the right size for us; an ample portion where we need to depend on Him for the results, but also without being too little where we would be tempted to take credit for what happens. The secret is to find the proper balance between our abilities and the size or scope of our ministry; it’s actually called contentment. It’s the place where we are doing everything we can without feeling guilty for not doing enough. What’s that look like for you? As one of my friends likes to say, “The answer to that question is above my pay grade.” Seek God’s advice through prayer and counsel from the spiritual leaders that God has placed in your life. The answer may take time but it’s worth the wait so you don’t jump off the grill and into the fire.
   
Killer Sides (your blessings)…  
 
Sautéed mushrooms, grilled vegetables or onions and baked potatoes are great side dishes for the perfect “steak”. They bless the “steak” with multiple layers of flavor that bring harmony to the meal. God does the same in our life when our “steak sizzles.” He blesses us with countless stories of lost hope being found, dead dreams coming to life and wounded warriors being healed. In our case we are able to see marriages strengthened or protected when couples learn how to be “heroes” in their own home. It makes our “steak” so much better than we could ever imagine.
 
So how’s your “steak”; does it sizzle or is it still in the freezer? Whatever your situation, let me assure you that God knows what you’re eating. He wants you to have the best “steak” possible. You might even discover that He’s changing your taste buds for a new cut of meat, one that you may have never even considered. Take some time this week to “check your sizzle” I mean your “pulse” then ask God to adjust the flame until your “steak” sizzles on the grill of life!  
 
Del Brixey
“Rib-Eye Please”
 
CHALLENGED TO THE CORE
P.O. BOX 414
LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA 92352-0414
 
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