El Bulli
restaurant, 2 hours north of Barcelona, is so popular that customers must
reserve a table 6 months in advance. But noted Spanish chef Ferran Adrià
decided to close the doors of his award-winning restaurant for 2 years so he
and his staff could have time to think, plan, and innovate. Adrià told Hemispheres
Magazine, “If we are winning all the prizes, why change? Working 15 hours a
day leaves us very little time to create.” In the midst of great success, they
took time out for what is most important to them.
The
first-century church in Antioch experienced a time of exciting growth when “a
great number believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). As a result,
Barnabas and Saul came to teach the new believers (vv.25-26). But along with
the hard work, they took time to seek the Lord through prayer and fasting
(13:2-3). Through this, God revealed His plan for taking the gospel into Asia.
Few people can take 2 years off to think and plan. But all of us can build time into our schedule to seek the Lord earnestly through prayer. As we open our hearts and minds to God, He will be faithful to reveal the steps of life and service that honor Him.
