A Metaphor of Pleasure
I’ve led a Life Group for about three years for our church, North Coast Church in Temecula, and last spring we had a fine addition, George and Polly White. George is an astrophysicist/mathematician/author/thinker/professor, mentored by one of my favorite writers, Robert Jastrow, and Polly, born and raised in Singapore, is an energetic natural hostess and baker and cook. You need to know that to fully get the rest of the story. Just after the Christmas celebrations, another member, Linda Vaubel, posted on our group text that she had two leftover and untouched cakes for anyone who would like them.
That gave Polly an inspiration, so they arranged an after-church dessert for our group at George and Pollys. We came expecting cake, but we found a feast: coconut shrimp, melons and Asian pears (a first for most of us), mint lemonade from a recipe from their time in Qatar (mint leaves cleaned and pressed into mint juice), cheese and crackers, custom make coffee lattes, and two awesome cakes.
Upon being requested to say grace, I found my impromptu prayer going in places I rarely do. Grace. The unmerited favor of God designing taste buds that respond with joy to different flavors and tastes. For cooks and bakers who take food beyond oatmeal, who know how to bring out the best flavors and take the time to do that. Yes, oatmeal is good, I enjoy it, it has carbs that stick with us, fiber that keeps us regular, and more. But it’s on the blah side. This event went far beyond bland.
Yes, a metaphor. God intended pleasure to be part of life. Christianity sometimes has an ascetic strain, but we can look for, and enjoy, the good parts of life. Certainly, an unlimited exploration of pleasure typically brings more pain than gain, so let’s find a balance to enjoy the good that he placed in life, and recognize the source.
The exploding taste in our mouth given by some foods.
The joy that some feel carving turns on a backcountry road on a motorcycle, or with skis doing the same on snow.
The mental pleasure that comes from reading a good story well-written.
The joy of a healthy marriage enjoying their physical oneness. And so much more.
Yes, not all of life is pleasure. We sacrifice for Christ, and others. Hard times come. But may we feel no guilt when we enjoy the blessings of life. May we thank God for the grace he gives to all creation, for “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Enjoyment is for all.
And may we always realize the source of grace, because “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17)
Kick Starting the Application
On the continuum of asceticism and seeking pleasure, where do you land? Do you have a healthy balance? Can you thank God more often for the pleasures he provides?
PS the film “Babette’s Feast” explores this concept.