The Recipe for Life

by Cassie Downs,
Christian Blogger

My gran, Dianne, used to make the best chicken and dumplings in the world. I can still smell them cooking on her stovetop. I would often peer into the pan and wonder where everyone else’s portion was. All I could see bubbling in her pan was my plate full, or three plates full of I’m being honest. Gran now cooks for Jesus. But before her adventure in kingdom cooking, she graciously shared her recipe with me.
I remember the first time I tried making her famous dumplings. She had done her best to jot down her “recipe” for me. Only she didn’t really have a recipe. She knew how she made them and did her best to relay that on a piece of paper for me to mimic. My first batch was an absolute failure. I’m not sure the critters even ate those leftovers. Of course, it discouraged me. I shared with Gran how they were nothing like hers. So she invited me over and shared every detail with me. A dash of this and a cup full of that. How to shake, not stir the dumplings. Every detail laid out in front of me so that my next batch would be successful. And with her showing me, I too became a dumpling queen.
Recently, I began reading through the New Testament again and that’s when I landed in 2 Thessalonians. While reading Paul’s letter to the church of Thessalonica, I noticed something I never had. I found a treasure, a secret. Something that most of us are continually searching for. I discovered, tucked away in chapter three, the recipe for life.
I’ve been enduring a tough season physically. Since mid-March, I’ve battled some major joint swelling in multiple places of my body. Struggling to walk with joint swelling in my heel and knee even. I’ve lost a lot of sleep, seen multiple doctors, spent too much money, and all without an answer why my body keeps freaking out. It started in 2019, and just rears its ugly head from time to time. This time, it overstayed its welcome.
To say I’m frustrated with the way things are in my health would be a big understatement. I’ve prayed, cried, gotten downright mad, and had a few pity parties. I may not understand why I’m going through it, but despite it, I’m trying to find joy and gratitude. But it’s hard. I’m sure you can probably relate on some level. It may not be joint pain, but it could be the stress of a wayward child, a broken relationship, financial burdens (have you seen the price of gas). Maybe it’s your health or the health of a loved one that keeps you awake at night. Perhaps fear has crept into your life, keeping you paralyzed, and robs you of so many precious moments around you.
Friend, I have the best news for you! For me! For us! The recipe for life. And not just any life. A full and satisfying life! Are you ready for this? Are you ready to live with hope, joy, and peace despite what’s happening to you? Take it all in.
“May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”—2 Thessalonians 3:5 CSB
God’s love + Christ’s endurance = The recipe for life.
When you have the right recipe and all the right ingredients, there is nothing better. It’s the same in our lives. The world offers a recipe for life too, but it’s a knock off, watered-down version of the real thing that Jesus offers to us. The world says “their love and your endurance” will get you through. That’s a cute thought, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. We need something greater than me, greater than them, to endure the hardship this world carries.
When all hell comes against your family, when you can’t get out of bed, when the doctor says disease, or your spouse walks away. The world is not enough. Your heart needs to move toward God’s love, an unfailing and never ending, unearned and freely given kind of love. A love that stays, a love that encourages and sustains you. And Christ’s endurance. When you’re knocked back or knocked down, your heart needs the endurance, steadfastness that Christ carries. The same endurance that kept Jesus moving toward the cross. Endurance that doesn’t back down from the enemy or a situation. The endurance that pushes you to move forward when everything in you screams, retreat! And it’s possible, because of Christ living in you!
Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)!
Life is hard, people are tough, and the enemy is real. But despite it all, there is hope and joy to be had. It’s found in God’s love and through Christ’s endurance. And with that recipe, you’ll never have to worry if life is good. It’s the best. Come and dine.
Cassie Downs is the author of Chasing Jesus and Unrivaled, both 60-day devotionals and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with her online at everyday-jesus.com. Cassie’s books are available locally and Amazon.com.