The Spice of Life

“I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”– John 10:10    

Variety is truly the spice of life!

Last weekend I painted with other plein air artists and met a retiree, Pat. Sweating from the 90-degree heat, I noticed her in the air-conditioned visitor center. A headband held back her strawberry-blond wavy hair, and she wrestled a wheeled upright bag of painting supplies with a folding chair attached. I asked if she was an artist and she said yes, and whipped out some colorful acrylic paintings of the locale we had been painting.

As we shared snippet of our lives over chicken wraps, fruit salad, and kettle chips, I learned she lived in a downtown apartment, was a beginner plein air (outdoor) painter, mainly did watercolors, and was moving into acrylics. Pat had grandchildren who were growing up and she had gone back and finished her 4-year college degree. She was a docent who did tours at the governor’s residence. She also had done flying lessons, flown a plane, did church work, joined a city sailing club and had sailed on our many lakes and a few exotic places as well. Her eyes sparkled as she told tale after tale, and I must say, my life seemed to pale in comparison. But I very much enjoyed her “spicy” attitude, complete with a few cuss words. She was an engaging and interesting lunch companion, and definitely had the view that life (and retirement) was about having fun and trying new things. I was impressed with her attitude of wanting to learn from others, taking risks, and being able to find joy in variety.

I hope I am just like that when I am older!

I reflect on Jesus’ words in John 10:10. Jesus came so that we can have life and have it abundantly. Not a dried-up, boring, less-than-stellar life, but a life of abundance, a life overflowing in good things, a life of variety, a life with Him. I have a pastor friend in Montana who always signed off letters and emails with: “Christ makes life, exciting”, then his name. I think that has always sat with me, and I can see how Christ does make life abundant and exciting. When you follow Him, you never know where He’ll call you to go, and every day is different. Variety can take place. Lives can be changed.

Let’s face today finding variety, the spices of life, and abundant living. How will Christ make your life exciting today?

Prayer–“God, you do make life exciting. Help me find variety and believe in the promise of abundant life. Help me see the spice you have for my very life today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”