Manna and Coffee

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

Some of my friends are crazy about sushi.  Sushi is vinegar flavored rice that is usually toped with fresh, thinly sliced raw seafood.  The raw seafood is called sashimi, which is a Japanese word that means “pierced body.”  Sushi is usually eaten with soy sauce that is mixed with wasabi paste.  Not all sushi contains raw fish, but this is what normally comes to mind when people think about sushi.  To be safe, raw sashimi should be frozen for at least 24 hours before it is thawed and prepared.  It takes some skill to prepare raw seafood and it is best when it is eaten within a few hours after preparation.

As I was thinking about the fresh, raw appeal of sushi I couldn’t help but think about how truth is a lot like sushi.  There is something so fresh, raw and real when someone speaks truth into your life.  For me the Bible is spiritual sushi.  Hebrews 4:12 says, “for the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” There are many times that I have been reading the sacred and living Word and felt like God has literally grabbed me by the back of my neck and reached down into my soul.

When you are really looking, you can find God’s truth all around us.  There is truth in the sunrise and sunset.  There is truth is in a baby’s smile and in a lovers embrace.   There is truth in tears and there is truth in laughter.    All of these truths point to ultimate Truth.  In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Isn’t that what we are all looking for, direction, truth and real life?

When God speaks a truth into our lives we should rejoice.  How many times has God spoken truth into my life and I did not eat it immediately?  I let the truth sit on the plate and just stared at it until I convinced myself that it smelled bad and that it was just not really that appetizing.  God doesn’t want us to be afraid of truth.  Jesus told us that “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Next time that you think about sashimi and sushi, think about Christ’s “pierced body.” Spiritual sushi.

Dear Lord, please forgive me when I am too full of myself to hear your Word to me.  Please help me to be courageous enough to love the truth and humble enough to listen, trust and obey.