A Recipe For Success

A Recipe for Success

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Philippians 4:11 (THE MESSAGE)

Amish recipes have become popular in recent years. People enjoy them because they are often simple (no fancy ingredients), hearty, and quick. (Amish mothers do not have time or money to create a gourmet meal for a dozen hungry bellies.)

When we hear the word recipe, we often think of food, but according to one definition, a recipe can also be “a formula or procedure for doing or attaining something,” such as a recipe for success. Paul found the recipe for contentment and joy. No matter where he was or what he had—or didn’t have—he turned to Jesus. He knew that Jesus made him who he was. Recipes are only as good as the ingredients that go into them. Contentment comes from mixing heavenly focus, more than a smidgen of patience, and a lot of trust in God.

Recipes are meant to be shared. One of my treasured possessions is a resealable bag filled with my grandma’s handwritten recipe cards. They mean something to me because she made the dishes—and shared them—with love. If you have learned a method for achieving something, don’t you want to share it? When you share how you’ve learned to trust God, others can try it for themselves.

The best recipes are simple. If you want to achieve joy or contentment or peace in your own life, consider taking doable steps. If you make things too complicated, you’ll end up with nothing more than good intentions.

Finally, the best recipe starts with turning to God: “The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me” reads Psalm 116:6 (NIV). No matter what recipe for success we’re trying to follow, nothing will work without God as the main ingredient. When we come before Him with our needs and desires, He will not fail us.

Dear heavenly Father, whenever I am in need, You are the answer. Whenever I have a need, turning to You is the first step. I take that step again, at this moment, with all my heart!