Sometimes I wonder about what God is up to, I wonder why I
can’t see everything or understand why He doesn’t just clue us into his
plan right up front. Why do we have to seek Him in mystery and through trying times? Then, once in a while, I get a shot of
clarity – something that has been right there in front of me for years suddenly
opens up with new meaning and simple truth.
I am amazed by these insights.
Why couldn’t I see them before? Am
I really that dense, or self-focused - blind to evidence and actions which
should support my faith and trust in God?
The answer is, “Yes, I am.” In a
very real sense, I guess we all are. We
can only see what is in front of us or around us. At best
we struggle to make some sense of the past – trying to carve out insight for
the future. This week the source of my insight is simply this: BACON.
There’s nothing quite like the smell of bacon in the morning. It gets people up and going. It makes their mouths water. Even if you don’t really eat it all that often, it just smells so good!
Ancient Israel was given over 600 laws governing every part of life. Among them was the list of forbidden foods. Right there at the top of the list was pork. Pigs were “unclean animals” and should never be eaten by the people of God.
I can look back now and see how God was actually protecting
this early nomadic hoard as they moved across the landscape of the ancient Middle East. Pork is
a dangerous meat. If it isn’t handled
correctly, cooked completely or kept refrigerated, it can be deadly. So, in his vast wisdom, God simply told them “Don’t
eat it. It is unclean!”
It’s kind of like a Dad with a three year old and a hot
stove. “Stay away from it.” We say to
them. “That could really hurt you. Don’t turn the knobs or touch it when me or
Mommy are working in the kitchen. Don’t
try to grab the handles of the pans on top. This can be really dangerous.”
It’s not that the people of Ancient Israel were running
around like ignorant little three year olds, totally irresponsible and needing
heroic protection. They weren’t
stupid. It’s just that the understanding
of microbiology, and bacteria was a ways down the road for them. So God did the easiest, best thing he could
do to protect them. “That is
dangerous! Leave it alone,”
I can just imagine the conversation between God and the
angels - or whoever he talks to.. “Yeah, I told them not to eat pork. They don’t get it now, but one of these days when
they have more knowledge about their environment, they will figure out about
bacteria and refrigeration. Then they
can eat the pig. Just wait till they get
a load of bacon! They won’t believe what
they were missing!”
God, in his amazing creativity and love not only protected his
early people from unknown dangers, but he made pigs in such a way that when we were
finally ready, there was an amazing surprise waiting for us all. Think about it. Is there anything out there that tastes and
smells like bacon? Nothing! God knew
what he was doing. He waited until the right time in our history to reveal
the treasure hidden inside one of his tastiest creations!
What else out there is like this? There have got to be other
hidden treasures that God has revealed or is waiting to reveal to us when the
time is right or we are ready.
As a husband and father, I can tell my own children and
those in my youth ministry that the most intimate connection between a man and
a woman is like this. Outside of God’s timing and plan for you, this can really
mess you up. Placed inside God’s timing
and pattern - through marriage and life-long commitment - it is an amazing
gift. This alone is capable of bringing
you the deepest richness of connection and love you will ever feel with another
person. Beyond that, it brings other
young lives into being and perpetuates your legacy and love to future
generations!
As I reflect on bacon and what other treasures God must be
hiding and waiting for us to find, I have hope.
It’s like life is a giant Easter egg hunt and God has hidden the
treasures. He will reveal them when we are ready. I don’t really know what they are but I can
hardly wait. Jesus said, “I go to
prepare a place for you.”* Paul writes, “No
eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for
those who love him."*
I don’t know what’s next, but for now…
wake up and smell the bacon!
*John 14:2 and 1 Corinthians, 2:9
No comments:
Post a Comment