I love to cook alongside my better half in the kitchen. He’s best at knowing how to season our meals just right for the ultimate outcome of the most pleasing flavors. Whether it’s a chicken dish, fish or his famous (as far as I’m concerned) barbeque ribs smoked on our grill, he seems to know the right measure of ingredients to add, at the proper time. We have an array of seasonings in our cupboard, all with different levels of spice, depending on what recipe we’re following. What is your favorite spice level when cooking or enjoying a meal out? Do you prefer a level of sweetness on your palette, or a little bit of spice? Maybe the meal doesn’t come out as expected, creating a taste that leaves an unpleasantness on your tongue? I, myself, always need to add a little extra salt for flavor. But what does all of this have to do with following Jesus you ask?
Just like in our cooking preferences for spices, it’s also important to choose our seasonings wisely in life. We can grab, without thinking, for the jar that holds the bitter spices. I find constantly feeding myself with negative social media, news reels and focusing on things that create negativity leaves that bitter taste in my mouth, but more dangerously my soul. That can interfere with the flavor of everything we should focus on when living our life’s recipe – Jesus’ recipe. We can unknowingly, by surrounding ourselves with people or things that create that bitter taste, be ignoring the perfect recipe, even changing it by choosing our own ingredients and seasonings. Sometimes, isn’t it easier to grab in anger for the bitter spices. They can spill out of our jar so easily, can’t they? Whereas, if we take a breath, focus on His recipe, we can wisely choose the sweeter spices in our day and see a much more pleasing meal placed before us.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He knew how to season His words, His message. Many times, because He spoke the truth of how we should live our lives, left a bitter taste with doubters and unbelievers. Maybe because, as He stated, it’s the harder road to follow. But in His delivery, for all that would listen and hear, Jesus knew how to use just the right blend of sugar and spice that created a powerful impact, which was pleasing and life changing.
So, this week, I pray that our words are used more wisely and are pleasing to our Lord; that we pray for ourselves to have the strength to use just the right amount of our spice with those around us; that our hearts and minds are changed for only the good of the world. May the seasonings we use each day blend perfectly with the recipe of peace and love.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Psalm 119:103
