May, 2010

Human Signs

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV)

As we drove down the highway, we saw sign after sign advertising new housing developments. “Look,” my husband said, “there’s a human sign.” I laughed at his description. Sure enough, I spotted a sign staked in the ground but next to it was woman seated in a lawn chair holding an arrow. “Well that sure is a problem,” my husband commented. “I bet that they have few customers. She’s pointing the arrow in the wrong direction. She is leading people to go left when the housing development is straight ahead.”

Today’s scripture reminds us that when we trust the Lord and seek His mind and wisdom, we are sure to be on the right path, the path that He has designed that is best for us. Failure to ask the Lord for wisdom and instead rely on our own limited understanding, reasoning or personal agendas can lead us down the wrong path where we will not discover what He has crafted for us.

From the sign holder’s perspective where she was positioned, her arrow seemed correct, but if people followed it, they would never find what they were looking for and a real estate company wouldn’t have much business. They’d be frustrated in their search, back-track, and repeat a route, only to come up with nothing. It’s tempting to rely on our perspective too, and not consult God about decisions. When we follow our assessment of what might seem logical, expedient or even “feel right”, we can find ourselves stuck, back tracking and not finding the desired outcome or fulfillment we had hoped. We might even take others along with us as we influence their choices.

Do you have decisions or plans to make?  Thinking about making some changes in your life? Have you consulted God for direction and wisdom? Are you aware of where you are going or are you settling for the common sense of where you think an arrow is pointing? Proverbs is clear. If we want to follow straight paths, ask God. Once we ask and take time to listen, we can trust that He will take us along a safe and good path. 

Reflection: Look at the verbs in today’s scripture. What is your part in this process? What does the Lord say He will do? Read James 1:5. God promises wisdom to those who ask.

All "signs" point to a menu change! Consider this meatless savory dish, a recipe compliments of my daughter Susan. She used dill but since I prefer basil, I made the substituion. I am delighted to share with you.

Zucchini Ricotta Cheesecake

2 cups zucchini, grated with skin on
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 large red onion, chopped (optional)
1 tsp. crushed garlic
3/4 cup fresh basil chopped
2 large eggs, beaten

Parmesan cheese for topping

Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray a 7-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

Toss the shredded zucchini with salt and let sit in a strainer for ten minutes. Squeeze and press out as much moisture as you can. Set aside.

Combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, red onion, garlic, and basil in a medium bowl. Stir in the eggs and continue mixing until well combined. Stir in the shredded zucchini.

Fill the springform pan with the ricotta mixture and place on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for sixty minutes. If there is any moisture left on top of the cake at this point, carefully use a bit of paper towel to dab it off. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to the oven for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is browned and the cake barely jiggles in the center (it will set up more as it cools). You may want to broil for 3 minutes to brown cheese.

Remove from the oven and let cool five minutes, then release the cake from its pan. Serve warm, drizzled with a bit of olive oil if desired.

Serves 8