“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.” Psalm 34:8 MSG
Where are all my foodies out there? The galaxy revolves around Michelin stars in the restaurant universe. For a chef or restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star is considered one of the most prestigious honors and pinnacle of ones career. The highest ranking is three stars. There are currently only fourteen restaurants in the U.S. with this distinction and seven are in Northern California. You might’ve heard of Chef Thomas Keller’s French Laundry as well as Gordon Ramsay for his TV show and restaurant of the same name, Hell’s Kitchen. Special occasions in the Tang household often call for extraordinary meals – even a Michelin star restaurant once in a blue moon.
When the moon isn’t blue and stars don’t need to be Michelin, we usually rely on Yelp to discover new restaurants. The highest rating is five stars. But beware of restaurants with a five-star rating if there are only a few reviews as anyone can get their closest friends to write stellar reviews even if they haven’t actually dined at the establishment. It’s rare, if non-existent, to have a legit five-star restaurant that doesn’t have at least a few fours thrown in there especially if it’s been around for awhile. Our favorite gelato place is currently a solid five-star with 446 reviewers of which a handful gave three or two stars. The owner, whom we have met and adore, shouldn’t be too worried about those. After all, one reviewer admitted she prefers ice cream and another was disappointed they didn’t have a very specific flavor. Guava, really?
Dave and I currently own two small restaurants and have seen our share of positive reviews over the last six years since we opened – thank goodness! We’ve tried very hard to personally address any legitimate negative reviews to earn back the customers’ trust and business (not the trolls who drop nasty comments or lengthy reviews that have nothing to do with the restaurant). However, negative reviews can serve as good re-training as well as eye-opening opportunities to improve service and see our businesses from new perspectives. One of our restaurants is currently rated 4.4 stars with 262 reviews on Google and 4.5 stars with 236 reviews on Yelp. Not too shabby. I mean, c’mon, even the world renown 43 year-old French Laundry is 4.5 stars with 2,669 reviews on Yelp.
I love that our favorite local dessert place is 52 year-old Meadowlark Drive-Thru dairy with its consistently energetic, enthusiastic, polite high schoolers serving us the best soft-serve cones we’ve ever had. And I wasn’t even a soft-serve fan before! Would you believe they’re rated 4.8 stars with 1,394 Google reviews? That’s better than French Laundry.
You know what else I love? A good go-to metaphor for life. Analogy. Word picture, if you will. After all, I have long feasted on God’s many running and racing references in Scripture that have become my go-to’s whenever I come to bumps in the road, hit a wall, or crave accountability.
“The Five-Star God” metaphor did not come to me dining at an extravagant five-course, more silverware than you need, teeny birdlike portions (when the menu says “reduction of” anything) restaurant. It came to me at my desk by a window with the brightest morning light streaming in as if to say “Take note of this moment!” The light was almost blinding – it was that bright. It felt good, warm, and comforting on my face. Oddly, my mind went to the lyrics of a song that’s been stuck in my head: “Terrify the Dark” by Skillet.
Funny, I just realized the band’s name is Skillet, as in frying pan. Skillet diehards are known as Panheads. In interviews, it’s been said that the band had all the ingredients for success as their pastor keenly saw with their different rock styles that produced a unique sound when combined…like in a big skillet. Okay, not to belabor the food metaphor thing, but c’mon.
“Terrify the Dark” has been on my run playlist on and off this past year (*see notes below on its release date circumstances). I put it back on last week specifically for my upcoming Double Dipsea hill training playlist. Forty-three songs and this is the one that has been stuck in my head. This morning I realized why.
The enemy is terrified when God allows things to come to light. Satan’s go-to strategy is to keep us in the dark. To close as many curtains that could let in light. To keep blinders on us. To become completely acclimated and comfortable with darkness. To live in fear, guilt, and shame. To be afraid to hope. To shut out any possibility of experiencing GOD’S BEST so that we settle for so much less.
In many ways I’ve been living in the dark this past year and probably longer if I’m being completely honest with myself. Can I admit here that I’ve used the pandemic and quarantine as an excuse for staying in the dark? But now that things are slowly returning to “normal,” I’ve run out of excuses for staying within the comfort of my own four walls and allowing myself to sink deeper into depression as I did some days. How is it possible that someone who used to love and crave being around thousands of runners, dozens of kids, friends, family, and even ministry events could find herself shying away from it all and even looking for reasons to cancel? I’d find myself rationalizing why I shouldn’t go. It was just more comfortable staying home. But then I felt worse because I knew I missed a good opportunity, like missing out on a really good meal.
Opportunity: an open window for God to shine His light in ways I simply could not cook up on my own. A recipe for a new mouthwatering dish if only I was willing to open the cookbook and follow the directions. Or these days, click on “jump to recipe.” I used to love dining out – still do – but had forgotten how enjoyable it is to gather with friends and family to feast on great conversation and cuisine as I was very recently reminded. Bavette’s of Chicago (4.8 star) and DishDash of Sunnyvale (4.6 star) certainly made for great reminders.
The thing with any review, be it five-star or one-star, is that it is completely subjective. During my prayer time, sitting at the desk by the window with the light streaming in, it dawned on me that God is in the five-star business – nothing less will do – and that absolutely nothing can or will ever change that review.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
I’m not scared of the dark, but I absolutely hate a dark room. Every morning, the first thing I have to do is open every single window blind to its full exposure. Ironic that I have been “living in the dark” and avoiding light in my prayer times – which are not limited to a few minutes in the morning but really all day and even when I’ve determined to have some serious Jesus and me time on a run. Bottom line: I’ve been afraid of what God might expose – and even worse – what God might convict me to actually do.
Hold on a sec here…
I just read that last line back to myself. Those be some strong words. Why don’t I just edit it out? Exactly the point. Because it is the truth God revealed to me, so I’m not about to mess with it to sound more appetizing. Why water down, essentially compromise, God’s truth? Would Thomas Keller water down his famously rich chicken broth? Would Gordon Ramsay allow a less than stellar signature beef wellington to leave his kitchen? The point is that we have a God who will stop at nothing to show us He is five-star and Satan is below one star. Far below. Don’t settle.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8 NKJV
That is my prayer. For myself, for my family, for my friends, for this nation. May Jesus, the Light of the world, shine brightest when we are at crossroads, facing the uncomfortable, and in our darkest moments reveal the glorious meal that is before us. May we choose to dine with Him.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 NIV
‘Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”’ John 8:12 NLT
“Terrify the Dark” by *Skillet
No power on Earth, no power in Hell
Is gonna steal my peace
Ten thousand enemies, they will
End up on their knees
When I’m hopeless, I can know this, you’re with me
Your light will terrify the dark
I call upon the name
That tears the night apart
My doubt will answer to Your scars
And fear will have no place
No hold upon my heart
Your light will terrify the dark
Your light will terrify the dark
Where could I run? Where could I hide?
You’re breaking in on me
Restore the ruins of my life
From rags to royalty
I can see you, I believe you, I trust you
Your light will terrify the dark
I call upon the name
That tears the night apart
My doubt will answer to Your scars
And fear will have no place
No hold upon my heart
Your light will terrify the dark
Your light will terrify the dark
Break in on me till all I see is You, is You
Break in on me ’cause all I need is You, is You
*Skillet sent “Terrify The Dark” to Christian adult contemporary radio stations on August 7, 2020. The song was a good one for the troubled times. “We are living in a dark, chaotic time,” [lead singer/songwriter] Cooper said. “People are angry. People are scared. There’s violence. There’s racism. People are screaming at each other. People just don’t know what to do. It’s awesome to know that with all of these powerful forces of darkness that they all still have to answer to the greatness of one name – the name of Jesus Christ. His word is true. He is always faithful. He is always with us. We don’t have to be afraid! I hope this song encourages you, because we’re living through a pretty difficult time right now.”
Source: www.songfacts.com/facts/skillet/terrify-the-dark