Technical Challenge

Psalm 16

Despite looking through many previous blogs and drawing a blank, I’ve had serious déjà vu while writing this, so apologies if you’ve heard it all before!

It’s no secret that I’m a massive fan of the Great British Bake Off and have dabbled in a bit of baking myself. For many years close family members suggested that I should enter, but I don’t think my Mary Berry Lemon Crunch cake would get me past week one! Even if I could get navigate the Showstopper, the terror of the technical challenge would be too much stress for me. I’d be that person, sobbing in a corner because I don’t know what a flaouna is (see Series 6 Episode 6 for more info and follow the link if you want to have a go at making some yourself)!

When Paul Hollywood sets the technical challenge, he brings years of knowledge of pastry techniques, proving methods and ways to avoid overworking his pastry (he’s pretty obsessed with this last one). As he removes crucial elements of the recipe, skipping cooking times and temperature settings, he is willing the bakers to trip up, lose their footing and forget to turn the oven on. In the nicest possible way, he’s trying to catch the bakers out. He’s trying to see if they’ve got what it takes to win the Great British Bake Off.

There are many times when my spiritual journey feels like a technical challenge. There’s something familiar about the situation, but I’m searching for the missing instructions.

How long will I need to wait till it’s done?

Do I need a cooling-off period?

Have I seen this challenge anywhere before?

I’m sure I’ve got a book about this somewhere, what did it say?

(Looks around) What’s everyone else doing to get through this?

I’m sure Paul Hollywood would take great delight in this comparison, but I sometimes treat God like the critical judge in the sky, setting challenges and watching to see how I get on. This God cares about my progress but is distant, providing constructive criticism once the struggle is over. Like the tent dwellers, I scramble to find ways to present a passable finished product before he gives feedback, and I await the next technical challenge.

Logically, I know that this character I create in times of trial is far from the heart of God, but if I’m honest, I fall into this trap regularly. In these moments, I turn to Psalm 16, a prayer of David that reminds us that God’s wisdom, guidance and comfort is readily available in times of challenge.

Well, all the time actually!

Psalm 16 (Voice)

A prayer of David.

1 Protect me, God, for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek You.

2 I told You, Eternal One, “You are my Lord,

for the only good I know in this world is found in You alone.”

3 The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me.

They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure.

4 All the while the despair of many,

who abandoned Your goodness for the empty promises of false gods, increases day by day.

I refuse to pour out blood offerings,

to utter their names from my lips.

5 You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup.

In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches.

6 My home is surrounded in beauty;

You have gifted me with abundance and a rich legacy.

7 I will bless the Eternal, whose wise teaching orchestrates my days

and centres my mind at night.

8 He is ever present with me;

at all times He goes before me.

I will not live in fear or abandon my calling

because He stands at my right hand.

9 This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy,

and my body is at rest.

Who could want for more?

10 You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave

or leave me to rot alone.

11 Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.

As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending,

and I know true joy and contentment.

Whatever technical challenge we are facing, we can be sure that God is right in the middle of it with us rather than casting his critical eye from a distance.

He’s centering our minds in the dark of the night.

He’s ever-present at all times.

As you walk through your current technical challenge, seek God’s guidance, experience his love and rest safely in his care.

Kay Moorby