It’s no secret that you can no longer simply look up a recipe online. If you’d like to read a recipe from the internet, there are several things you will, without a doubt, encounter. First, you are going to discover the creator’s life story. If you read everything on that page, you’re going to know more about the creator of this recipe than you know about your childhood bestie. You’re also going to see ads for various products. Lots of ads for all sorts of things. Most of these products will not be related to cooking, your interests, or the interests of your childhood bestie, but alas, you will read them all because the button to close said ad is hidden deep within the sales pitch. All of that to say, if you want to get a recipe off the internet, the best move is to hit the “skip to recipe” link hidden up there somewhere and then print it… on paper. I know, it’s crazy, but sometimes it’s the only way. I blame the Pioneer Woman.

In one of my more recent deep dives into the life of some random stranger who shares an appreciation for Italian cuisine, I braved the internet for a risotto recipe. Up until that moment, I knew very little about risotto, except that it’s difficult to master, quite time-consuming, and never good enough for the judges on Masterchef.

Despite all of those warning signs, I went for it anyway. I found a recipe that looked great and went for it. I gathered the ingredients and paid careful attention to a note that advised me to measure and prep all of my ingredients before I began cooking. Apparently, this was a fast-paced process, and I wouldn’t have time to chop a shallot or find my measuring cups once that pan was on the stove. That note saved me. Once you put that first ingredient in the pan, the race is on. If you don’t move quickly enough, something is going to burn.

Finally, I got all of the ingredients into the pan, let them simmer, and added my first ladle of broth. At this point, things changed, and the process slowed significantly. After the initial firestorm of ingredient after ingredient, the process comes to a screeching halt and is reduced to pouring in a little broth, waiting for it to cook down, then repeating this process for the rest of your natural life¹.

Frustrating food blogs and tedious processes aside, there are two secrets to the perfect risotto that, if we apply to our lives, will help us as we pursue our purpose.”

Preparation prevents Frustration and Overwhelm

As I stirred that risotto, one thing became abundantly clear: preparation is the true hero of the kitchen. It’s often an unsung hero in life too. Just like in the quest for the perfect risotto, we often embark on life’s challenges with a pinch of enthusiasm and a dash of optimism, sometimes ignoring the crucial step of preparation. We dive into unfamiliar territories without readying ourselves for what lies ahead, and it’s no wonder that we encounter frustration and overwhelm along the way. But, as I’ve learned from my kitchen escapades, with the right preparations, we can prevent these unnecessary hurdles².

In the culinary world, and in life, the importance of preparation cannot be overstated. In Proverbs 24:27, we find wisdom that resonates beyond the kitchen: “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” Just as a chef meticulously measures ingredients, preps the kitchen, and familiarizes themselves with the recipe before the heat is turned up, we too should take the time to equip ourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge before taking on significant challenges. This preparation can help us navigate life’s challenges with confidence, preventing the frustration and overwhelm that often accompany “flying by the seat of our pants.”

Returning to the chaotic world of online recipe blogs, we can draw a parallel between the frustration of scrolling through endless pages of personal anecdotes and the importance of focusing on what’s essential. By “skipping to the recipe,” we filter out the unnecessary distractions and concentrate on the task at hand. Similarly, in life, we must learn to sift through the distractions and be well-prepared to focus on our goals, sparing ourselves the frustration and overwhelm that comes with disorganized and hasty actions.

Patience Unlocks True Potential

In the world of cooking, the importance of patience becomes evident with every stir of the pot. Risotto’s journey from raw rice to creamy perfection mirrors our own growth, where patience serves as one of the keys to unlocking our true potential. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us that it’s, “Better [to be] a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” There are plenty of things we can rush into or take by force. But our true purpose is only fulfilled when we slow down and allow the Lord to develop us little by little, spoonful by spoonful until we have been made complete.

Rushing the risotto, just like hurrying our own journey, usually leads to regrettable outcomes. Just as impatiently adding broth to the pot would result in an unevenly cooked and unsatisfying dish, rushing through the moments in which God intends for us to grow us will leave us feeling incomplete and longing for more. The hard truth is that the most profound transformations take time. The beauty of both the culinary and personal journeys lies in the process itself. We learn from the risotto that embracing patience and trusting the gradual absorption of flavor yields the richness we desire. Similarly, it is patience and a steadfast commitment to obedience over time that unlocks our true potential, forms us into the image of Christ, and fills our lives with depth and purpose.

Cooking often teaches me quite a bit about life and following Jesus. Making risotto has reminded me that preparation and patience are invaluable tools for this journey called life and discipleship. Just as a perfectly crafted risotto requires time, care, and patience, so does our journey to become the people God has called us to be.

As we turn off the stove and savor that first spoonful of our perfect risotto, let’s not forget the wisdom we’ve gained from the process. In life, just as in the kitchen, preparation and patience are vital ingredients. Take these tools beyond the kitchen and into your daily life. And when your feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or rushed, just remember the best things take time, are often forged through painful processes, and always worth it in the end.

Have you ever learned a major life lesson from the kitchen? I’d love to know about it. Apparently several of mine have been rice related. Check out this post about the first time I tried to cook hibachi at home!

^1. Really just about 20 minutes but it feels like forever.

^2. Ok, we can’t be prepared for every single thing life will throw at us. Sometimes, you have to just dive in and learn on the way. But, I dare say most of the time, we can do the necessary work of preparing our hearts and hands for the work in front of us.