A Crockpot Life!

The disciples then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves. Let’s take a break and get a little rest. Mark 6:31 from The Message

When Randy and I got married in 1972, we received many gifts of what I like to call, “special occasion” items such as china, crystal and silver. However, one of the gifts that I enjoyed the most then, and still enjoy today is a crock pot. Before I left for a long day of teaching, I could just throw meat and vegetables in there, turn it on low, and it was ready and delicious when it was time for dinner.

In later years, the microwave became the way to cook a quick dinner, but it always lacked the flavor that slow cooking provides. It’s so easy to just microwave when we are in a hurry, but we sacrifice some so much the delicious elements that crock pot cooking provides.

It’s sometimes the same way with us in our lives. We like the advantage of having the ability to communicate quickly through emails, texts, and tweets, but the disadvantage is that it doesn’t cultivate in us a desire to think about things deeply. Just like the microwave, we lose much of the flavor a slower crock pot pace can provide.

A few days ago I was visiting with a friend who has been forced to slow down because of injuries. She had looked at the long recovery as a burden, but she has now realized that the crockpot life gives one a chance to slow down and catch up on the special things in life. Things such as reading a good book, compiling old pictures and writings, and taking time to reconnect with friends are so valuable.

We can’t microwave our personal growth; it takes a crock pot. When we take the crock pot method, we can gain a few things. First, we gain confidence in making decisions. There are many times when a snap decision is made, and it is something we regret in hindsight. We wonder if we made the right decision. and we become filled with doubt. When we use the crock pot method, we have time to think through our decisions and defuse any doubt. It can also give us confidence in making the next decision.

Next, the crock pot method gives us time to clarify the big picture. This encourages us to go back and ponder the things we’ve done and what we’ve seen. In order to keep from making the same mistake over and over, we have to stop and evaluate the process we used that led to our mistake. In other words, it helps us to see the whole picture and learn from it.

Finally, the crockpot method helps us to take a good experience and make it a valuable experience. It is said that we learn from experience. I would say that we learn from a valuable experience. An experiencee is valuable when it informs and equips us for what lies ahead.

In the above scipture, the disciples had been teaching and preaching, and they were on a microwave high when they reported all they had done and seen to Jesus. The Bible says that people were coming and going all around, and the disciples hadn’t even had time to eat. Jesus recognized that they needed to take a crockpot moment and process all they had seen and heard. He encouraged them to take a break and rest.

When we are in a constant hurry, it is a sign of an unprioritized life; one that is putting second and third things first. Jesus commanded us to rest every seventh day, but we want everything done today and we don’t have time for rest and reflection, so we use microwave maturity. In the process we are exchanging wisdom for information and depth for breadth. Just like crock pot cooking, depth comes slowly.

Jesus says Conme to me all ye who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Just like the disples, we have to learn that following Jesus can’t be done at a sprint; we can’t go faster than the One who’s leading. So, try some crock pot mentality this week, and savor the life giving experience of God’s grace and love.