Recipe for Success: Life + Pepper

There's a saying that a Dutch friend of mine shared with me that I simply cannot shake. She said she felt like someone needed to:

Eat a little more pepper!

The visual of a person choosing to add spice and a little "get up and go" to their approach to life was humorous for sure. In her direct, poetic way she was expressing frustration about a person's hesitance to make decisions and move boldly. And, while not making a commentary on the specific person/situation she was referring to, I gave a hearty "Amen" to the sentiment. You see, I am constantly amazed at the hesitance of Christians. When I read the Bible, I see so many examples of boldness and so many moments where God asked for people to walk with authority. You look at the patriarchs of the faith and see examples people like Abraham who left on God's command and walked boldly into what they were called to do or women like Jael who without trembling immobilized the enemy with a nail into the temple in his sleep (Judges 4). When you look at all of the people who made it into the "Faith Hall of Fame" in the book of Hebrews, you see countless examples of boldness and courage that continue to baffle us to this day. Or you can even think of contemporary examples like Albert Einstein, MLK, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatcher, and so on across the nations who were world-changers because of their boldness.

Some moved on behalf of Christ and others in the name of whatever power they held dear. And so I find myself wondering how, if people can change the world and walk boldly with non-Christian motivations, how much more can we as Christians do in the boldness we draw from Christ? You may be reading this and have been on a see-saw of emotions--wondering what your next steps in life are, seeking God on which way to turn...which way to go, people to see, places to be. Today, I want to challenge you to move in boldness and add a little "pepper" to your approach. Pick up your mantle of faith and walk without fear. Remember what God has placed in you--the gifts and dreams that have simmered under the surface. Remember the doors He has opened; and walk through those doors without abandon...or to echo my friend...Eat a little more pepper! Need scriptural basis for this command? Try out:

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

Though you may fear making a mistake, I ask you...what is the harm in that? Most mistakes are the building blocks of greatness. So for now, disregard the potential for mistakes and spice up your life. For sure, a little dash of pepper/boldness can surely be that one last ingredient to a recipe for success that you need to accomplish what God has called you to.

Be encouraged,
Pastor Andrea

Kept Over Unsure Ground

If I say, “My foot slips,”
Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:18-19 (NKJV)

One of the items on my "Bucket List" was to zip line, and as I went through the ropes course in an effort to fulfill my zip lining adventure recently, I must admit that my nerves were racked. Even though I knew that I had been solidly harnessed to the line above my shoulder, when it came time to step on moving logs and unstable wires and dodge obstacles, my confidence was shaken. I gripped unnecessarily at the ropes in an effort to hold myself up; and, in the end, I made it through a challenging 24-point, 90-minute ropes course from beginning to end--zip lines, tight ropes, log swings and all.  


As I swung into the final heap of sand, I remembered the thought that I had as I began (the point at which I took the above picture)--that no matter what happened, I was secure. You see, we were harnessed with two lines and two clips. There was an "extra safety measure" of clipping the hooks on in opposite directions so you could never accidentally grab hold of the releases and suddenly go swinging. And as the course began, I felt the Lord reminding me that this is a great example of how He has hold of me. Even when I get scared and nervous of making the step in front of me, He has me secured. Even when I feel like my footing is slipping, He's got me on the other side holding me up. At multiple points throughout the course, I had to stop and calm my "anxieties" by thinking on the Lord and simply taking a moment to look around at His great Creation.


This week, you will be challenged to take steps that may feel shaky beneath you. The ground you're on may seem to be unsure and doubts will try to invade your spaces of faith. You may not even remember that God is there and attempt to hold yourself up through your journey. But rest assured that He's got double safety measures holding you up with grace and mercy. Move with confidence and, if need be, take a moment to simply breathe and look around at all God has already done in your life. Take it all in before you keep on moving. Don't pause. Don't delay. Decide today to live your dreams!


Be encouraged and encourage someone else along the way!
--MinD