There are all kinds of ways to quickly cook barbecue but any ‘barbecue master’ will tell you that the final result is in the preparation.  I am somewhat of a pork tenderloin and babyback ribs master.  My secrets?  Haha, wouldn’t you like to know!

How do you think the Israelites would have looked upon God had the ten plagues not occurred in Egypt prior to their release?  Similarly, how do you protect and treasure that which has come quickly and easily, versus that which came after time, hard work, trial and error?  

Every good parent loves and treasures their children.  Do parents who ‘got pregnant’ quickly and easily look upon their children with the same appreciation as those who tried, prayed, begged, went through medical procedures for years before getting pregnant?  The gift is the same.  The preciousness the same.  The value the same.  But the appreciation, might just be different.

I gain a deep appreciation for Abraham’s faith that after waiting close to 100 years to be blessed with a son, he chose faithfulness to God over his most precious physical gift in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac.  Zachariah and Elizabeth similarly waited until well past child bearing years to miraculously receive their son, John.  While neither probably knew all the incredible things that would result from their waiting, their waiting placed incredible value on the gift of their child.

I would like to think that after witnessing the 10 plagues in Egypt, leaving with all of Egypts wealth, the Red Sea being parted and swallowing the Egyptian army, water coming from a rock struck by a stick, food being provided each morning, clothes and shoes never wearing out for decades that my faith and trust in God would be unimpeachable.  Yet!  Yet!  Yet, here I sit, worried about those things that I cannot control after a life of witnessing God’s miraculous mercies and miracles upon my life.  Still sinning.  Still doubting.  Still striking out on my own.  Still trusting in my own abilities.  Still resisting the rest and peace that I know only comes through my Dad in Heaven.

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth!”  Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

The Israelites leaving Egypt were generational in their captive mindset.  At least 4 generations occurred between Joseph entering Egypt and Moses leading them away.  Some scholars think this may have been as many as 12 generations, shrunk for reference sake.  The bottom line is the Israelites had been robbed of expectation and entrapped by doubt of a benevolent God, still committed to freeing them as their ancestors had been assured.

So now, today as you pray and wait, guard your expectation.  Expectation leads to movement, which leads to a healthy heart, which leads to a receptive brain, which prepares the body for the perfect answers and rescue that only God can deliver.  He hears you.  He sees you.  He is there.  He is here.  He is preparing you.  His plans release you into a marvelous purpose that makes all things clear.

“For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

Pork tenderloin quickly removed from the package and thrown in a grill is delicious.  Pork tenderloin, removed from its entrapment (package), placed in brine (saltwater) overnight, then grilled at slow temperature and turned every 3-5 minutes is just incredible.  My mouth watering as I write.

Babyback ribs taken out of their package and grilled are so tasty and better depending on the dry rub or sauce used for added flavor.  Babyback ribs placed in brine overnight, then slow cooked in a crock pot, then placed upon the grill for final coatings are, well, fall of the bone amazing.  Literally.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Every grill master and barbecue aficionado has their “secrets” for the same foods.  God’s plans for each of us are unique, incredibly special and specific to us.  Consider removing the defensive package that has constrained your life and trust the preparation of the Master in Heaven who knows how to prepare you best.

Be safe this weekend.  Be expectant.  Be receptive.  You are loved.