Brussels Sprouts

Sorry for the late post! When Darrell was discussing how many Canadians are turned off to Christianity, I began to better understand what he was trying to say throughout the sermon: Jesus' pray for us is to be the salt, not an insult (insalt?!).  Why are Canadians, Americans, anyone for that matter, turned off to Christianity, to Jesus?  Well, probably for the same reason why we look at certain things (maybe a new car, a type of food, a job, etc.) and are uninterested.  For me, if you were to offer me Brussels sprouts (by the way, I had NO idea it was Brussels sprouts until I wrote this post... I always thought it was brussel sprouts!  Go Belgium!) I would most likely decline... but, here's the thing: I don't think I've ever tried one!  So why don't I eat them?  1) They look like little turtles hiding in their shells and it rubs me the wrong way, 2) the smell of hot Brussels sprouts make me want to pass out, and 3) I've been told they don't taste good.  So, what about me?  Am I perfectly cooked, well-seasoned steak or a heaping pile of steaming, rancid-smelling sprouts?  Jesus prays for us to possess saltiness because when we are salty we glorify the Father, we invite/encourage others to ask questions, and we experience that true, authentic joy that Darrell spoke to.

Saltiness is a two-way street.  It glorifies the Father and it produces joy!  Yet so often I'd rather sit in my "sproutiness..."  It's like a baby sitting in... never mind!  You know what I mean...  I know it's good for me, but at the time it doesn't taste as good!  It's like exercise: you know it's good for you in the long-run, but at the time it's not as easy as sitting on the couch eating ice cream.

This week I had a terrible toothache.  For much of the week I was so concerned with myself, the pain, and what I could do to seek relief; that's all I cared about.  And, I know at many times I probably acted complacently and was more of an insult than anything.  My prayer for myself and for each of you is that we can be consistently seeking that unique joy that can only come from Jesus at all times, and not just when it's convenient.  So often I forget that joy, relationship, pursuit is not something that I have to wait to attain in the future... Jesus offers that to me/us today.