Hamburgers, Pancakes, and Spurgeon

No doubt, there was a lot of hamburger flipping today.
In our house, it is my husband’s job.
He is far better at the grill than I am.

I love to cook…everyone seems to enjoy the food I prepare.
I just cannot get the hang of grilling hamburgers…knowing when they are done.
Maybe the gas grill intimidates me.
I am used to my electric stove.

I will enjoy my stove and my husband can enjoy his grill.
I will make the burgers, with my secret ingredients.
He can masterfully cook them.

My youngest daughter is an excellent pancake maker.
The cast iron skillet is no match for her culinary skills.
She is adept at timing them just right.
She waits for the little bubbles to form on the top…then flip…perfection.

I baked four dozen chocolate chip cookies this afternoon.
What if I went on appearances and never tested them for done-ness?
They might look delicious on the outside, but the inside would be a gooey mess.

Cooking is a skill that is learned and fine-tuned over time.
Like anything else it takes practice.
Food seems to taste better when it is appealing to the eye.
A monochromatic plate of food is not as desirable as a colorful one.

But just looking good isn’t enough.
A plate can be presented beautifully…a feast for the eyes.
But what if you put your fork into the food, took the first bite, and realized that the inside was not cooked completely?

Apparently, Charles Spurgeon pondered the same thing.
I was given his devotional Morning and Evening as a gift.
I truly enjoy the way Spurgeon thinks and the way he articulates spiritual truth.

Here is what I happened to read towards the end of last month:

A pancake which is not flipped over is uncooked on one side…My soul, I charge you, see whether this be your case. Are you thorough in the things of God?
…there mustn’t be the appearance of holiness in one place and reigning sin in another, or else you, too, will be a pancake not turned over. (Morning and Evening, June 23)

Hypocrisy…a pancake not turned over.

Jesus has strong words to say about hypocrisy.
The word hypocrite literally means actor.
In Greek theater, the actor wore a mask.

Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like white washed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead man’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:27,28)

Jesus spoke about white washed tombs.
Spurgeon wrote about a pancake not turned over.
I thought about flipping hamburgers.

Three things…the same truth.
Appearances can be deceiving.

The world cares about the outside…the package…the presentation.
Jesus cares about the heart…the control center of our thoughts and actions.

We can present ourselves beautifully.
We can fool many people into believing we are what we are not.

We can’t fool Jesus.
His Word tests us for done-ness.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
(Hebrews 5:12, 13)

Am I thorough in the things of God?
I am thankful that His Word tests me for done-ness.
I want the outside of my life to match the inside of my heart.
I pray that both are pleasing to Him.