Instant Grace
I must confess, I do enjoy my instant noodles on odd occasions. Instant noodles are quick to make, easy to cook, and can be elevated from a cheap $1-$2 meal to a 3-Michelin-starred meal. I don’t need to prep; I don’t need to plan; I just simply add a bit of hot water, wait about 3.5 minutes for the noodles to get al dente, and I’m good. If I’m feeling a bit fancy, then maybe I’ll add in some napa cabbage or fry up a nice overeasy egg (the yolk must be running or else the whole dish falls apart).
As I was slurping away at my highly processed and artificially flavoured meal the other day, it made me wonder if we sometimes think the same thing about God’s grace. We cheapen it. We assume that it’s something that we can access quickly and thoughtlessly. It’s just a quick thing we turn to when we need something to satisfy us immediately. Recently, I spoke with someone who asked me why they keep doing certain sinful things. They feel bad about doing them, but they go right back to doing them after some time. It sounds familiar, doesn’t it? I believe that on this side of heaven, while we are attached to our broken and fallen bodies, the temptation is always there. Whether it’s setting our eyes on things we know we shouldn’t, doing the things we shouldn’t do, or indulging in the many things that we shouldn’t, all these things provide the promise of immediate relief, but it never satisfies. It’s never enough, and that’s why we want more, more, more. We may feel grief and remorse; we say, “God, I’m so sorry,” but we turn right back to those things when another bad day comes. It’s instant noodles.
But what’s waiting for us at the dining table? A complete meal that’s going to completely satisfy. A meal that’s not only delicious but will also feed you the nutrients you need. And it’s not just what’s waiting for us at the dining table, but who. Rather than being served cheap, factory-made noodles, we’re given the body of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who lived perfectly and gave up His body in our place on the cross. Rather than some boiled tap water, we are washed with the divine blood of Christ, the blood of the perfect sacrifice that washes us as white as snow. The grace of God is satisfying, unlike anything else. Like a high-quality bowl of ramen noodles made by a Japanese chef, it’s the richest, creamiest broth you’ve ever tasted.
But there is one characteristic of this poor analogy that isn’t too different from instant noodles. Just as it is easy to grab a packet of noodles out of the pantry, the grace of God is always there. It is always at the tips of your fingers. But don’t let your heart assume that it’s cheap just because it’s accessible. Look at the ingredients, know exactly what you’re about to eat, and enjoy every single satisfying bite.
Turn to the only meal that will satisfy your hunger. Turn to the rich, abundant, and available grace of God in Christ.