Christian Chefs Fellowship - Devotional Articles

Recommended Reading:
James 1:1-18

How often is it that you encounter trials in your life and in the kitchen? As we all know, trials come in many shapes and sizes, and in the kitchen they seem to come by the handful. These can obviously be anything from handling a tough situation, such as when your food doesn't come out right and it's wanted immediately, or working with a chef who just spontaneously threw your knives all the way across the kitchen because you set them in the wrong place (both of which I've personally experienced).

You're probably thinking through about 10 different trials going on in your life right now (I am, too!), but more important than the trials themselves is the purpose for them and how you respond to them. James 1:2 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." In this section of scripture, I believe that God is saying that He customizes each person's trials to form us into His own image, to bring the best out of us and to produce what's lacking in our walk with Him. Although the details of the trial itself may not be joyful, it should be joyful to know that through them, God is bringing us not just closer to Himself, but also forming us into His own personal image. As trials teach us, all the things of this world will one day pass away, but Christ-likeness is eternal.

So what is the first thing people usually do when a trial arises? We react to whatever the situation may be. Instead of just reacting to whatever happens to come along, God calls us to respond to them. As God tells us through James 1:5, we should respond to trials by praying and asking God for wisdom to know what we should do in the situation, since very often our reaction isn't anywhere near the best course of action to take. When a chef I worked under threw my knives across the kitchen during the second week of my first cooking job ever, most people that were working with me at the time said they'd have blown up at her for it and quit. Instead, I didn't let it get under my skin and worked there under her for another year (which to me is a long time) with her doing stuff like that constantly. But when we ask for this "wisdom" that God said He will give to anyone who asks for it (James 1:5), we must first realize that the answer may not be anywhere near what we want it to be. We should also be prepared not to question His response, for "When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Through all the trials occurring in your life, just remember to trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, for He will provide for all that's to come if you'll just allow Him to do so.

Ira Krizo
CCF Director

If God is speaking to your heart about these things, and you need somebody to talk with, please don't hesitate to e-mail us about your need and somebody from the Fellowship will contact you as soon as possible. If you have a prayer request or would like to start a theological discussion on this or any other topic please feel free to post it in our Message Boards.

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