Through the years, I’ve developed a casual interest in television cooking shows. This is ironic, since I can’t cook much of anything. I specialize in eating. I can make a respectable peanut butter and jelly sandwich and brew a solid pot of coffee, but let’s be honest—that hardly qualifies as cooking.
So why do I enjoy these shows? I’m not entirely sure. It may have something to do with my competitive streak. The shows I enjoy most are the competition-based ones—Tournament of Champions, Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and the like. There’s something compelling about watching skilled chefs work under pressure with limited time and ingredients.
Though I’m no cook, I’ve noticed something interesting: cooking and spiritual growth have a lot in common. You have to start with good ingredients. Every chef knows this. No amount of skill can overcome poor ingredients. The chefs on these shows talk constantly about sourcing, freshness, and quality. Great dishes begin long before the stove is turned on.
You have to start with good ingredients…the same is true of spiritual growth!
The same is true of spiritual growth. If believers are going to grow strong and mature in their faith, certain ingredients must be present in their lives. Scripture often refers to these as practices or disciplines—ordinary, faithful habits God uses over time to shape us into the likeness of Christ.
There are many lists of spiritual disciplines, but the basics are clear:
- Reading the Bible
- Praying to the Lord
- Fellowshipping with other believers
- Sharing your faith
- Ministering to others
- Walking daily with Christ
These may not seem dramatic, but they are foundational. Spiritual maturity is rarely the result of a single moment; it is the fruit of consistent faithfulness.
One of the best books on this subject is John Ortberg’s The Life You’ve Always Wanted. If you haven’t read it, put it on your list. You won’t regret the time spent. Ortberg reminds us that God uses simple, time-tested practices to produce lasting transformation.
Good ingredients matter—in the kitchen and in the Christian life. What we put into our daily walk with Christ will, over time, shape who we become.
Stephen C. Rice 