Spicey Disciples

It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
​

Raise your hand if you like spicy food!  Mine is not up because I avoid food that has the potential to hurt me.  Flaming hot Cheetos, Doritos and hot cinnamon candy were snack time favorites and the 6th graders were always trying to get me to “try just one” but I stood my ground and took a hard pass. I haven’t been offered a flaming hot snack of any kind in almost a year, but it crossed my mind the other day when I heard the phrase “Spicy Disciples”.  That made me giggle and after some thought, I realized I have a new goal…to be a spicy disciple of Jesus so I can follow him with no fear!  I suppose the opposite of a spicy disciple could be considered a “Soggy Disciple” and that doesn’t seem like it would do much good at all.

The whole idea of being a spicy disciple has made me wonder what kind of follower I really am.  There are all kinds of followers when you think about it.  Think about irritating little siblings or whiney toddlers.  What about needy, moody teenagers who follow behind like they have a rain cloud hanging over their head.  Then I thought about the Eeyore type of folks who just plop along looking at the negative side of everything and don’t seem excited or grateful about anything.  Oh, and then there are the complainers who don’t see the good in anything or the strong natured folks who follow along because they always need something.  And let’s not forget the demanding, bossy, “I have the best idea” kind of followers.  After thinking about all these kinds of followers I wondered what kind of follower Jesus sees me as? 

I wondered if Jesus ever gets annoyed as I followed him constantly asking for stuff or pointing out the things he didn’t do the way I wanted.  I wondered if he sees me like a pesky little sister who gets bossy and sassy.  Most of all I wondered if I appear to be ungrateful and selfish, always wanting to be in charge of the plans for the day.  I suppose none of those things would qualify me as a spicy disciple would they! An honest question I had to ask myself was, “If I was Jesus, would I enjoy having someone like me following me around?  The dictionary definition of spicy contains words like bold, exciting, intense, fragrant and surprising.  

Living out our discipleship in such a way that bold, exciting or intense could describe us would make a true difference in our lives, in our relationship with Jesus and it would have a positive impact on those around us.  A soggy disciple just seems to perpetuate all the things the world has too much of, so now is the time to spice things up!  Thank goodness becoming a spicy disciple doesn’t require Flaming Hot Cheetos or Cayenne Pepper but rather a decision to let the Lord be in charge and to ask him for the boldness to follow him with joy and trust.  I’m going to start being spicy today by saying the words “Jesus I Trust In You” three times before I complain, compare or ask for anything.  Being a spicy disciple won’t make my lips burn but I sure hope it makes my heart burn with a desire to love and serve him more joyfully!

A Seed To Plant:  Pray with the words bold, exciting, intense, fragrant and surprising asking the Father to help you pick one to develop on your way to becoming a spicy disciple.
​
Blessings on your day!