I Timothy 2:15
There is a cooking term that, when used, will help any recipe you make come together smoothly. Mise en place (pronounced MEEZ-ahn-plahss). It’s French and it means, in common English terms, “to put in place” or “put everything in its place.” Being a simple person who has never been to France, never spoken French and at this point in life, I’m fairly certain I never will, I remember this term simply as, “Get Your Mess In Place.”
French or not, this idea is a time saver and a head ache preventer. There is nothing more frustrating than being all ready to bake or make only to find out half way through the process, you don’t have enough of one of the ingredients or that you loaned “that” pan to your cousin, Thelma. By “getting your mess in place” before you start, you will never suffer this frustration.
Planning a time for Bible study is a lot like planning a meal. As with meal preparation, Bible study requires a plan. You set a time to start preparing a meal because without a plan, supper doesn’t happen. In like manner, plan a time to spend in Bible study and prayer.
Then, like getting ready to prepare supper, make sure you have your “mess in place” gathering all the “tools” you need, like a Bible that you can easily read, a concordance and a devotional or Bible study book.
If you planned your meals the same way you plan your spiritual food, what kind of diet would you be be eating? Don’t just read a few Psalms every day and walk away feeling well fed. That’s like eating dessert every night instead of meat and vegetables. It is important to study God’s Word so we know what God’s will is for our life, what His promises are for our safe keeping and how to handle everyday life situations. (II Timothy 3: 14-17)
As with a healthy diet, a healthy spiritual life requires discipline, planning and, of course, action. You can have a shelf full of great cookbooks, a cabinet full of the best equipment—but if you don’t take the time to get all the ingredients and tools out and then actually —use them. You go hungry.
Like any other life maintenance, study and conversation with other cooks are very important. And of course, like you would share a recipe or tell your friends about a good meal, share your faith.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for sending me your Holy Spirit to help me study your Word. Show me how to organize my day so that I plan a time of Bible study with the same faithfulness that I do my every day routines. Thank you for wanting to talk to me and to listen to me. I love you. Amen.
Scriptural References:
II Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
II Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
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