Yummy Marinate Recipe

• Psalm 1 NIV
  1. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take …
  2. but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
  3. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf …
  4. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

I pierced the last couple holes into the steak I was marinating in my ‘secret sauce.’   It looked like it was going to be perfect for our dinner tonight after sitting in those yummy ingredients for most of the day.  The new air fryer would cook it up just right.  Actually, my ‘secret sauce’ recipe came from the recipe book that came with the air fryer, then I added a couple ingredients of my own.  We seemed to be using the same combinations of spices all the time so following this recipe was an experiment in new cooking territory.  Well, it became a ‘happy accident’ and I have used it many times since then, on several kinds and cuts of meats.

I went back to my Bible reading and prayer time. I heard the Lord telling me; “I want you to marinate with me as your ‘secret sauce’,   I want you to soak my rich goodness, my wisdom, and especially, my love.  It is after you have been in my presence soaking that you will be tender, useful and flavorful to do my work.”   It was startling to me.  Was the Lord really saying I should ‘marinate?’  Yes, yes He was!  Remember when Jesus was here how He used ‘visual aids’ to capture the attention of the people, and then keep their attention? When they were back out in their world and that particular item came into view, they remembered that lesson Jesus taught them.  Remember, for the most part they were unschooled peasants that came to hear Jesus.  They had no ability to take notes for their future study.  Their memory was their best friend.  We know how reliable that can be.  But if there was an item they saw, or used in their daily activity, even something they touched in their work, well, that would be a powerful reminder of what the Master Teacher had been hoping to infuse into their spirits. 

We are no different today.  Sure, we are more educated, more sophisticated, more self-reliant, but we still rely on visual aids to remember what we need to remember.  Before modern technology we would tie a string around our pinkie to remember something important.  Of course, that only worked if we remembered what the silly string was supposed to remind us!  Now we have post it notes, notes on our phones, reminder alarms on our phones and more.  Jesus simply used bread, salt, mud, fish and others.  When I listed those items you probably can remember the stories He told that the item represented. Can you remember you Pastor’s sermon from last week without looking at your notes?   Thought so!   Clearly a tangible object we can see and touch is a better reminder.

So, back to my marinate.  Here is my recipe; Time in His presence attentively listening with just my Bible and a notebook!

When we take the time to ‘marinate’ in the Lord, maybe not every day, but on a regular basis, we become tender to Him.   When we become tender to Him, we become tender to those with needs around us.  When we become tender to those needs, we are prompted to do something.  When we do something, we are behaving like a Christian Ambassador.  And, not only an ambassador but one that is tasty, lovable and easy to be believed and accepted.  Certainly not that tough critical person we were before marinating in the ‘secret sauce’ of the Holy Spirit.

Check yourself.  Are your conversations a little tough lately?  Are you being critical? Are you spending time marinating in God’s Word and talking to Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit?  Maybe it’s time for some secret sauce marinating! 

‘Donna’s Secret Sauce’

Combine these ingredients; ½ cup paprika, 3 TBSP ground cayenne pepper, ¼ cup freshly ground black pepper, ¼ cup plus 2 TBSP garlic powder, 3 TBSP onion powder, ¼ cup salt, 2 ½ TBSP oregano, 2 ½ TBSP thyme.  This makes enough for several uses.  I store mine in a 1-pint canning jar.  When you are ready to use it; pierce beef only.  Rub on chicken parts.  Then I place in a glass dish with apple cider vinegar and olive oil, covering lower portion of the meat.  Soak a couple hours, turn meat so the other portion in in the vinegar/oil combo and sprinkle seasoning on this half.  Cook as usual.  Yummy

Hey, let me know what you think!