Peter

After my son told me I was not old, I was seasoned, I keep asking myself “What seasoning am I?” Thinking on that led me down a lot of different paths. I thought of funny descriptions of our different personalities.

But then it led me to think of the concept of followers of Jesus bearing fruit – something to provide nourishment.

The Bible talks about bearing fruit. There are many verses that indicate our lives should be productive in qualities that are helpful to others.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1-3

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

What is the purpose of fruit? For us to take and eat, be nourished with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibers and phytochemicals.

So as a follower of Jesus, what kind of nourishment am I providing to those about me? What kind of seasoning am I contributing to my family, friends, church, community?

Spicy: While there is a negative definition to this word, let us look at the positive definition – zestful, interesting, lively. We add cayenne pepper or garlic to give our food a zestful, lively flavor.

The Cleveland Clinic says that chile peppers and other spicy seasonings carry health benefits. Capsaicin, the ingredient that gives chile peppers their kick has been found to boost the body’s ability to break down fat and burn more energy. That may help with weight loss and reduce risk of diseass such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes. A study from the University of Vermont found that people who regularly ate chile peppers had a 13% lower likelihood of death.

A person described as spicy is one who probably is more willing to take risks, more open to new adventures. Perhaps more outspoken and quicker to speak their mind.

The disciple Peter comes to my mind when I think of spicy. He always seemed to be putting his foot in his mouth, speaking before thinking carefully. But I love how his lively personality led him to get out of the boat and walk on the water toward Jesus. Sometimes the fact that he got afraid and started to sink is pointed out. But I love that of all the disciples, this lively, spicy man was the only one that got out of the boat and for a short few steps actually walked on water.

Am I sweet?

Sweet: pleasant, kind, thoughtful.

Two sweet spices that provide good health benefits are cinnamon and basil.

Cinnamon contains an ingredient, cinnamaldehyde, that has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that ward off diseases, prevent infections and boost metabolism. Basil has many vitamins, nutrients and minerals that, among other benefits, alleviates stress and balances mood.

When I think of an example of a kind, thoughtful person in the Bible, Ruth comes to my mind. This Moabite woman left her family and her home to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to her homeland in Israel after they both had lost their husbands. Think of the help she was to Naomi in relieving the stress she faced in returning home without a husband or any sons to support her.

I have always loved Ruth’s beautiful statement of commitment to Naomi. In fact, I made it part of my wedding vows to my husband.

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Sour: resentful, embittered.

Like spicy, sour seems to carry a negative meaning. But sour seasoning can improve taste by balancing out sweetness or spiciness in a dish. Think of a lemon slice in a glass of water. Or a dash of lemon juice in a marinate for meat.

While many citric fruits have a sour taste, they also contain high levels of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. These play a crucial role in strengthening your immune system to fight against diseases. Sour and fermented foods also help regulate beneficial bacteria and improve digestion. Sour candy or treats can also increase energy levels because their taste releases chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine to prove your mood.

The Bible character that comes to my mind when thinking of someone who has become embittered is the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah began his ministry in 627/626 BC. He was a contemporary of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. He warned the Judea nation of the coming destruction by the Babylonians. His prophecies were not well received by the king or the nation.

At one point Jeremiah became embittered at the call God had given him. After being beaten and put in stocks at one of the main gates in Jerusalem, he complained to God.

“You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

So – am I spicy? Am I willing to listen to the voice of God and obey when He asks me to do something that I am not comfortable with doing? Am I willing to take a chance and speak to that stranger, reach out to my unfriendly neighbor, go the extra mile with someone who has hurt me? Do I add life and joy to others with my zest for life because of the love of God?

Am I sweet? Do I show kindness to those I come in contact with? Even the cashier who is slow and grouchy? Even the person who cuts me off on the road? Am I thoughtful when I speak with others, more concerned about their needs than mine? Do I add a sense of peace and comfort to others with the love God has given me?

Am I sour? Do I complain too much when things do not go my way? Do I add a sense of worry or despair because I get my focus off of God’s provision and more on the problems I face?

Less I appear too negative on the sour seasoning, let me add this. We all do have times of overwhelming situations. God understands when we complain. I think the secret is to be honest with God as Jeremiah was. God can handle our complaints. But after expressing his complaints, Jeremiah continued to obey the Lord and continued his ministry.

So – am I sour? Do I refuse to give up in difficult times, but keeping trusting in God to deliver me? Do I improve the atmosphere around me by injecting some energy and perhaps provide a balance to the spicy and sweet people around me who can sometimes need to be reminded that life is not always good. And, yes, we can complain to God. He is big enough for our “sour” moments.