The Spiritual Pantry

I tend to be a stockpiler.

When I go to the grocery store I buy too much food. Even when I already have enough at home, I find it hard to resist buying a few more cans of Chef Boyardee, just in case.

Especially if it’s on sale! But that‘s another story…

Seeing those stores of food all lined up in the pantry gives me a feeling of security.

This isn’t a bad thing, when you’re talking about canned goods. After all, they say you should be prepared in case of an emergency, right? And you can never have too much Chef Boyardee…

But the problem comes in when I try to apply my stockpiling needs to my spiritual life. I want God to give me a stockpile of spiritual resources as well, enough so that I can line it all up in the pantry of my soul, so to speak, and feel secure that all my spiritual needs will continue to be met. I’d like to have enough reassurance, encouragement, serenity and peace to last me for years.

But it doesn’t work that way. He doesn’t give you tomorrow’s Chef Boyardee today, if you know what I mean.

I’m reminded of the story of the Israelites in the desert found in Exodus 16. When God provided them manna to eat, He only gave them enough for one day at a time. If they tried to save it until the next day, it would go bad.

God was trying to teach them to trust Him, to rely on His grace to supply all their needs. He is teaching us the same thing, in a spiritual sense.

I have to learn to trust Him to give me what I need to face each day, and not try to look for tomorrow’s help today.

Does anyone remember the old Doritos commercial? It said, “Crunch all you want; we’ll make more.”

In the same way, God has an unlimited supply of all that I need. But he’s not giving it to me to store in my spiritual pantry. He wants me to rely on Him daily to supply my needs.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the LORD’s great love

we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.

above image from chefboyardee.com