January 6

RED BEANS & RICE WITH JESUS

Father, thank You for bringing me to this place and this time today. I ask You to speak to me right now, and to let Your Word breathe life into my heart. Please use these next few moments to bring me to more of a fullness of You and to learn more of Your Glory and how to leave the footprints of Jesus everywhere I go today. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!

Read Psalm 41:9

I like to eat. Good food is one of the things I enjoy most in life. In fact, the past few days I have had a craving for good ol’ red beans and rice. You know the kind. Ones from the heart of Louisiana. Cajun. Flavored with Tony’s Creole seasoning. Covered in Tabasco sauce. My mouth is watering just writing this. Ok, ok back to the text. This verse makes me think of good food. Furthermore, it makes me think about great conversation with good friends while enjoying good food. I have been called a slow eater by quite a few. Especially if I am with a big group of friends. I like to talk; to enjoy the experience. My Dad grew up as the youngest of nine children. He had to learn to eat fast. I was the youngest of two, so the urgency to eat before all was gone was not passed on to me. I learned to converse and visit while at a meal. I think that is what I enjoy the most about eating. That fellowship with people.

Thinking about the fellowship is what amazes me most about this verse. Jesus knew before He ever set down to a meal with Judas, that Judas would betray Him. Now I have eaten with those that would later betray me, but at the time I did not know. Had I known, I would have probably chosen someone else to sit besides, or possibly even eaten alone. I would not have granted them access to my closest feelings and emotions. I would have built a wall between them and me to try to minimize the damage they could do. This is not what Jesus did though. He befriended one He knew would betray Him. Wow! Amazing! He let him into His life. He shared all with him. He built no walls, nor cut him off at any time. I am simply speechless at this.

Today I encourage you to leave His footprints by not caring how others have hurt you in the past, or may hurt you in the future. Have a bowl of red beans and rice with them anyway.

Leave His footprints as you walk today!