Boundless

Last month I made homemade vanilla ice cream at work and wow, was is amazing! There are three things I really have a hard time refusing: popcorn, potatoes, and ice cream. It was horribly torturous making all that creamy, smooth ice cream and knowing I probably wouldn't have any of it except the test-taste I so willingly took every time I made it! Well in one of my rounds of making the ice cream base I was careless in my sugar measurements and the ice cream simply refused to freeze in the ice cream churner. That was frustrating! But who could I blame but myself? I didn't follow the recipe exactly and I reaped the consequences. I had to make the batch over again, not only wasting time but also the pricey ingredients. So what's my point? Well, recipes (or cookbooks) are there for a reason. They're kind of like the law books of cooking. Naturally as your progress in your cooking skills certain things don't need to be measured but there are some things which simply always need to be measured. Like sugar in ice cream, or baking soda in cookies. In charcuterie you could royally ruin a terrine or pate by not being careful in the process! So basically I really love the laws of cooking! I love it that there are measurements I can look to, and references to seek when I need help (Psalm 119:24). When you pay attention to the recipe you will find yourself reaping the benefits of an extremely satisfying result. Even though there were rules to follow you feel kind of....free. :) So here's where my thoughts are coming from tonight.

"To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless." Psalm 119:96. I love this passage in the Psalms. Throughout the entire chapter of Psalm 119 King David goes on and on about loving the Lord's decrees, His laws and commands. This totally opened my eyes again to the truth of God setting us free. Why did King David love the laws of God so much? What could possibly be interesting about a LAW? Because they set him FREE! I mean when we're in a hurry we don't want to drive the speed limit. When I want to go home from work I wish I didn't have to dunk all those dishes in three compartments of water before they can dry. And who ever slows down at a yellow light?! ;) Honestly, no ones does, but that's what we're supposed to do, right? Haha. Anyway, there's even a part in verse 71 where he states, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I may learn your decrees." David was even grateful for his afflictions because they taught him the decrees of the Lord, and he loved the laws of the Lord (he even longed for them! 119:20) because they taught truth, which then brought Him freedom (119:30-32). I didn't particularly enjoy ruining that batch of ice cream but it was good for me because I learned what NOT to do, therefore making me appreciate the recipe and then brought me the freedom of knowing what to change. There is a limit to all perfection and to all beauty. There is a limit to everything in this earth....but the commands of the Lord are boundless. For some reason the idea of liking boundless commands sounds kind of funny but if you think about it, there is no reason for us to NOT like the commands of the Lord. In fact, we have every reason to love them like King David. Why? Because the commands of God are good. There is no end to the commands of the Lord, therefore there is no end to the goodness of God. This is why I love reading cookbooks and studying recipes. They remind me of the laws of the Lord and how when we follow them we truly do reap a rich harvest in the end. All I pray is that God will set a passion in our hearts for His word. I pray even now as I type that God will open our eyes as we sit in our quiet times, reading, praying, listening for His voice, and we will see what it is that He is commanding us for these times.

119:18 "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law"
119:12 "Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees."
119:16 " I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
119: 20 "My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times."
119: 24 "Your statues are my delight; they are my counselor."
119: 30-32 "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statues, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."