God's Disciple Recipe

God’s Disciple Recipe was given to me on Wednesday, June 1, 2008 at approximately 1:30 am.

About a week and a half ago our class held its last meeting of the second installment of the Disciple program. After completing our lesson we held a communion ceremony. As I consumed the bread and juice my stomach grumbled—probably because I hadn’t eaten since lunch that day. I often skipped a meal before class because it became part of our custom to prepare a little beyond the ordinary snack. The corners of our Bible pages have been glazed with confectioner sugar and chocolate. Our notebooks are spattered with sauces, dips, and salsas. That evening’s gathering was no different. We all brought dishes that even Rachael Ray or Emeril would have been impressed with. There was not a morsel left in any of the containers, and by the way we each patted our own belly I could see why. Someone commented that we should put together a collection of recipes from our “Last Supper”, and the emails followed shortly after that night.

As I drove home I realized I was still hungry, but it was not my stomach that was speaking up—it was my soul. For nine months I had feasted on God’s word with my Disciple family and for nine months I savored the recipe that was our class: A dollop of Marilyn’s passion for people; a sprinkle of Jim’s knowledge and love of God’s word; a pinch of Diana’s concern for God’s creatures, great and small; a tablespoon of Byron’s insight and wisdom of the world; two cups of a God oriented family in John and Cheryl; a teaspoon of Lindsey’s ability to see the good in people; and a HUGE SCOOP of Amens and Halleluiahs from De’shawn. Stir well with God’s guidance through Tina for 2 hours. Bake in the world at global warming temperature for one week and share your experiences with your Disciple family.

You won’t see this delicacy on the Food Network. Instead it bakes and rises in the “kitchens” of Matthews United Methodist Church where it is showcased in the congregation. God has put together a cook book with the perfect steps toward enjoying an all you can eat buffet. Sometimes we add the wrong ingredients if we don’t follow His recipe. We may even burn our cakes and watch our soufflés fall. But God delights in our attempts.

Are you hungry? In Matthew 18:20 Jesus says, "For wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Are you hungry? In Matthew 4:4 Jesus says, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Are you hungry? The Disciple series has left me wanting more—this time I am going back for thirds!