and the One who walks with me on it.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Just Learning How to Make a Good Omelet Now

       I’ve been making omelets for about twenty years now, though very infrequently as they tend to turn out poorly.  I think a lot of my problem was impatience- I’d turn up the heat too high and of course use the wrong pan which would cause the egg to stick AND not understanding that the top should solidify before flipping, though if done right, you don’t need to flip at all.  In other words, I just didn’t get it. 

       My favorite omelet has cooked onion and peppers mixed in two eggs, cheese melted inside with some salsa.  The pan I use now is just the perfect size for my omelet.  My eggs are vigorously stirred to be fluffy, the fabulously non-stick pan is on a lower setting, and my meal turns out to just the right texture and colouring that I like.  It’s a beautiful harmony of tastes, smell and textures that make it a joy to behold and to eat.

       One of the great things about omelets is they can be personalized to our own tastes with the things we enjoy in them.  And we can change it up; there are as many different omelets as there are people in the world.  What suits one person doesn’t suit another.  I guess that’s why I don’t despise denominations anymore.  I would prefer if we could all just be Christians, but people have different tastes and denominations accommodate that.  Some sing only hymns, a mix of hymns with contemporary music and others never sing hymns.  Some churches use musical instruments while others sing a cappella.  Some services are very solemn while others resound with “Amens” “Praise the Lord” and “preach it now”.
 
       Our differences don’t mean we can’t be in unity forming one delightful omelet, but that we can learn to be in unity with all true followers of Jesus Christ despite our differences.  The world sees our infighting and disharmony and it leaves a bad taste in their mouths.  It stinks like it is overcooked, falls apart because it wasn’t mixed well, and looks like a mess.  We need to unify on the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need for all of us being sinners and needing salvation. 

with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ep. 4:2,3
then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Php. 2:2,3
And finally, all be of one mind, having compassion on one another, loving the brothers, tenderhearted, friendly. Never give back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, giving blessing…1Pt. 3:8,9
But I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1Cr. 1:10
minding the same thing toward one another, not minding high things, but yielding to the lowly. Do not be wise within yourselves. Rm. 12:16

       So these verses give practical ways we can walk towards greater unity.  I will list here some of the words that stick out to me and upon which we should ACT:  lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing in love, peace, love, esteem others as better, compassion, tenderhearted, friendly, blessing, same speaking and judgment, yielding to the humble.
TO AVOID: strife, vain/ empty pride, giving evil for evil, insulting/ treating with contempt, feel or thinking pridefully- desiring honours, wise in own selves.

We can make a great omelet together if we start acting on these actions and avoidances!


Father, we know only with Your help can we become one body in You.  Please help us to desire it first and then boldly step forward and put effort towards that end.


 Jesus said:
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You,
that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.
Jh. 17:21