Today, I am seeing how ‘delicious’ the number five must be to our Heavenly Father!
Plus, my granddaughter is turning five this month, so I am currently in the mindset of creating ideas for birthday cakes, cardboard cut-outs, and more!
As a girl, the first thing that springs to mind is Chanel No.5 – (check out this link for 5 facts you may not be aware of, about the iconic perfume fragrance).
My husband and I were watching the movie ‘Delicious’ (a French movie with English subtitles set in the year 1789 – around the time of the storming of the Bastille). This movie was an expression of an artistic evolve of all that food was for the upper class in that day and how the taste of food put together was praised as a type of orchestral performance in a way. What piqued my interest was the way the main character (cook) was showing his protege how to experience everyday food items with her eyes closed to best experience the food's qualities. Plus, they both traverse a monumental season of change, learning how to make good food available for the common people! If you get to watch it, I highly recommend it.
God did not give us our five senses as one-offs but for all of them to be used together in conjunction with one another for the best effect!
I want to share three (3) areas where I see God bringing in His Deliciousness for us all to experience and use to be a blessing for Him!
5 NATURAL SENSES
God encourages us to go and be excellent in the gifts he has given us so excelling in the following five areas not only blesses us in doing that role but also everyone we meet and choose to bless by it!
1 Peter 4:10 (AMP) - Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
Touch – a chiropractor, masseuse or massage therapist could be considered a master in their field. Enabling people to be helped with areas of pain and help them relax and not stress unnecessarily. Even for those not in a medical profession, there are many times we can give someone who needs it, a hug for comfort and reassurance when they are grieving.
Sight – it is documented that 35% of all adults have 20/20 vision but an ophthalmologist could be considered a master of sight. There are many of us who regularly wear contact lenses or glasses to assist us in seeing better but there are also those in professions that assist others who can’t see – products like brail for the blind.
Hearing – conductors of an orchestra and songwriters are masters of hearing the music playing within them (my son-in-law is a musician and always walks around beating & tapping everything to the tune inside of him) to then bring it forth for others to hear and enjoy. Church worship, concerts, Spotify, radio channels, and more bring us all great enjoyment. I bet everyone could share at least one sound that they love to hear (I would love to hear my mum’s voice again, saying ‘I love you’).
Smell – I believe that smell disorders are treated by an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, etc. We are taken to another dimension when we can smell something of our childhood, pass by a food store we love, or even enjoy the aroma of flowers that brighten our day. Smell is a powerful link in our memory banks that we should not take for granted!
Taste – chefs are masters of taste and can create the most amazing and tantalizing food sensations. Cook in movie above was obviously very good at what he did with food. We should never underestimate the power of love that goes into creating something cooked or baked for another. Taste is a very unique sense as something loved by one can be totally disgusting to another (my husband loves rice pudding & I can’t stand the stuff).
5 LOVE LANGUAGES
God encourages us to relate with one another. When we feel disconnected from the people we care about, life is a lonely place. The idea of the 5 Love Languages is a simple and effective way to strengthen our connections, so we can experience greater joy and harmony in all our relationships.
John 13:34-35 (The Voice) - So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others.
Physical Touch – to this person nothing speaks more deeply than ‘appropriate’ physical touch (in reference to a marriage relationship). In Luke 7:36-39 Jesus had his feet washed by woman with her tears and then she dried his feet with her hair, anointing them with perfume – I would say that the woman’s way of showing her love to her master was by this physical demonstration.
Receiving gifts – for some people receiving a heartfelt gift is what makes them feel most loved. My youngest daughter loves gifts and when she was very young, when I went grocery shopping, I would post something small to her and a few days later it would come in the mail. She was always overjoyed to receive something addressed to he, it really boosted her mood and attitude to the whole rest of the family.
Words of affirmation – this language uses words to affirm other people – (1 of my top 3) I love to encourage others, but I think it’s because I love to receive it as well. Posting love notes around the house for family to find, sending loving cards to others that speak of something special, or even praying for those in need. Telling someone at the supermarket that they look great today can do wonders!
Quality time – this language is all about giving the other person your undivided attention. If you have a very busy schedule, it is always a good idea to book time into your diary for the one that you wish to spend time with, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. I remember one time when I was stuck home with small children, I had a delivery at the door for a packed picnic for two and just when I was trying to think through why I had received it, my husband pulled into the drive (between jobs) to enjoy our picnic together (in house) while our small children slept!
Acts of service – for these people actions speak louder than words – (1 of my top 3) On these cold mornings we are experiencing at the moment, my husband goes to work early and turns on the heater in our family room so when I get up later it is not as cold while I eat breakfast.
5-FOLD MINISTRIES
I am a very creative soul and use my hands a lot to bless others by making and creating. Our hands as God has designed them, uniquely fall into the ‘5’ bracket for God's use too. I would like to suggest the five fingers of our hands for God are like the Five-Fold Ministry for the body of Christ - as we are a part of the body of Christ so our hands are part of our body to use for his glory and we can be a part of the following by using our natural senses and love languages for others.
Ephesians 4:11 (AMP) - And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
Hand - At one side and at the outer edge of the palm are five digits, the thumb and four fingers. The thumb in humans is articulated so that it can be brought opposite to the fingers and thus be employed for grasping small objects. The fingers themselves can be folded forward over the palm for the holding of objects.
1. Apostle Like the thumb in humans is articulated so that it can be brought opposite to the
fingers, so it is also like an Apostle who comes to help the other four ministries
(fingers) to encourage, strengthen, establish, set in order, correction etc.
2. Prophet Brings revelation, wisdom, words of knowledge
On occasions the lord has given me information to share with others when praying for
them
3. Evangelist Announcing good news, winning converts, prepare for other ministries, operating in
the gifts of the Holy Spirit for healing, miracles etc
I have run programs over the years with individuals wanting to know more about Jesus
Christ and operate in these gifts
4. Pastor Shepherd, feeding, caring, and leading the flock of God
My husband & I host a mid-week ‘Connect’ small group in our home to love, care &
nurture those looking for connection within our larger church family
5. Teacher Instructor, teach the church in the ways of God
On occasions I have been invited to preach at churches & share what God has put on
my heart to minister to others
From all that is described above, we may not personally be labeled with any of those titles, but I do believe that God has equipped us all individually to minister to others and bring enrichment to those in our sphere of influence for this season by using the above topical areas – either at the school gate, the supermarket, our workplace or many other opportunities.
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Meaning of the number 5 from the Hebrew Torah:
Chamesh [f.], chameeshah [m.] Power, strength, alertness (wake-up!), Torah, grace, ministry, service, gospel, fruitfulness, going forth, fast movement, anointed, prayers, and protection. The holy anointing oil had five ingredients: four spices mixed with olive oil. (Ex. 30:23-25.) The holy incense also had five ingredients: four spices mixed with salt. (Ex. 30:34-35 – though tradition says there were eleven ingredients.) We are empowered by the Word (Torah) and the Spirit. All is given by God’s mercy and grace. There are five Books of Torah (Moses/Law), the five-fold ministry (Eph. 4:11), David’s 5 smooth stones, fruit from trees is fit to eat in the fifth year.
It so excites me to read the significance the number five has because, through all that it describes, we can see God has empowered/equipped us with so much to make the difference really needed in the world today!
What is even more ‘delicious’ is that His original recipe for the ‘Holy Anointing Oil’ (Exodus 30:22-25) was five ingredients that I am sure brought about a ‘symphony’ to all the senses… Pure myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia & olive oil.
If we are prepared to serve the Lord in his plans and purpose, pray for His power strength and protection then I do believe we will see the fruitfulness of His gospel and Word go forth for many generations to come.
I am excited – who is with me!