Nachos

A few years ago at a Bible study at church, we were presented with this question: If Jesus was coming to your home for a meal, what would you make?

I knew instantly what I would make. So I just sat there, looking around, waiting to hear what everyone else would make! Lots of delicious meals were proposed: 7 fishes, roasts, native cuisine to make Jesus feel at home. When it finally got to me, I had already had a million thoughts racing through my brain, the most frequent one was "Seriously, Emily. This is what you'd make Jesus!?"

When the question was asked, I knew that if Jesus was coming over, I'd make "Nacho table". It's basically a nacho buffet where you stand around the table, and just make and eat nachos... trying different things, laughing at the person so got an extra hot jalapeño, or snatching the last mega-loaded-chip off your spouse's plate. Of course you can sit if you'd like, but there's never been a time I've had nacho table that we weren't focused on each other, and the phones- and the world- seemed to stop. So naturally, if Jesus was coming over, THAT is what I want. 

I'm sure with a certain amount of effort, every meal could be like that, but there's just something about nachos that makes this the meal for me and Jesus. 

Despite this fun little nacho story, the title for this post comes from a clever little "joke" I heard in my early 20s: "This is a taco-burrito conversation. NACHOS!"

It's really just a witty way to tell someone that the conversation you're having doesn't include them. Ding ding ding!! That's exactly where I'm going with this. Conversations that weren't meant for me.

When I was a new believer, I deeply admired the seasoned Christian women around me. They didn't seem afraid to share their struggles, shortcomings and faults. They shared and then immediately spoke of how God redeemed, restored, or is currently working in them. WOW! Sure, I was on fire for the Lord, but I still wrestled with pride and was not thrilled at the thought of letting everyone around me know how much I didn't have it all together. Don't get me wrong, I hated acting like I was constantly in control, had it tougher, knew what I was doing, etc. But to tell people that would make them think I'm a phony, a fraud... fake. Was I really ready for that?

I had always been a people pleaser. (I'm still working on it.) I really wanted to leave that behind me, but to let people in on those secrets of mine, and likely ruffle some feathers was a BIG DEAL. Mark 4:22 reminds us "For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light." Welp, here goes nothing.

I asked these women again and again what God was showing and telling them so I could have those breakthroughs, too. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to meet with someone, get this amazing dose of wisdom and insight, only to implement it and NOT SEE RESULTS. I was so tired of darkness. I wanted to get everything out there and be free from those burdens. I wanted His Light. I wanted what HE had for me. I was pretty well over what I had done for me...Has that ever happened to you? Well it happened to me a LOT, and it's even happened again recently. 

Fast Forward.

This time around, though, I'm not a baby believer. I've moved on to the solid foods. (Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.). So I looked back and really tried to see what I had to do differently. Plainly put, the answer I got was:

NACHOS. 

"The wisdom you're getting from these women is from OUR taco-Burrito conversations, NACHOS! Ask Me."     

<in God's voice>

Those things I had for her; NACHOS!

Those hurdles I had for her; NACHOS!

Those blessings I had for her; NACHOS!

My dear daughter, none of those things are for you, because what I do have for you is far better. Will you just come to me already?

   I didn't hear those things specifically from God, but it helps paint the picture of what I'm trying to say. I learned to ask God what He has FOR ME, and keep my eyes focused on HIM, rather than what everyone else has, doesn't have, is or isn't doing. Those conversations weren't for me. Sure, I can glean off the wisdom and experience from these women and their time with God, but I need to do my part. I need to actively ask, seek, and knock.

I find peace in knowing that the blessings of the brothers and sisters around me has no impact on what I am, or am not, receiving. It's taken quite a bit of pressure off of my prayer life, too! 

John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.<- I hadn't asked. 

Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. <- I wasn't asking. I wasn't seeking. I wasn't knocking. There was no action on my part. 

Although it was wise to glean from the wisdom of seasoned believers, it was foolish to think that God's answer for them would be suitable for me. Going to the Source, the Creator, the Author; that is how we find out how to proceed. Good advice is never as great as God advice.

YOU are the 1 He left the 99 for. Any way but through Him is NACHOS!