A Flavor-Full Life

Written By: Frieda Dowler

Over the past four weeks, the Sunday messages have focused on a challenge for us to be All In with our faith. These messages have hit some triggers, for sure. So, in trying to sum up the charge of going from believer to follower, I’ve come up with an analogy that helps me. I hope it helps you, too.

I like to cook because I enjoy the flavor, texture, and taste of my food. I’ve come to realize that some of my favorite things to eat are the simplest. When flavors are too complex, it tastes like they’re competing. A thing I’ve learned that enhances a simple dish is to top it with a reduction. A reduction involves cooking down the liquids into a sauce or gravy, making a rich flavor concoction.

The message of being All In is the charge we’ve been given at Victory. So this is how I’ve made a reduction from what we’ve learned?

Step 1: Know your why. Jesus needs you to be his disciple. Life on Earth would be bland and dark without Jesus' followers. He told us how important followers are to the people of the world.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13, 14 ESV.

Step 2: Understand the vision. Jesus came to deliver humanity from sin and darkness. Paul wrote this to the Colossians in the first century:

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13 ESV.

Step 3: Set a goal. Without purposeful thought, we will be ineffective. We should be Christians who actively promote the message of Jesus. Paul’s goal was to finish the race and to win the prize.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 NLT.

Step 4: Devise a plan of action. Like an athlete trains to perform in his event, Christians must spiritually train to live an effective life with purpose.

“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 ESV.

Step 5: Take action. Unless we take action, whatever we think remains in our heads. Action brings thought into reality. We can study immeasurable subjects, but until we act on that knowledge, it is powerless.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:22-25 NLT.

Step 6: Build resilience. When we act, we might falter or even fail, but continuing to get up and do it again brings success.

“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” Proverbs 24:16 ESV.

Step 7: Disciple others. Jesus told us to keep the gospel of salvation alive while we live on earth. By following his example of making disciples, the gospel continues to be available throughout the generations.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 ESV.

So that’s my reduction for being All In with faith. Following these simple steps will result in a most flavor-full life. I’ve often heard it said that God doesn’t need us, but we need him. I would say, God does need us. He needs us to bring light into the darkness, and to be his hands and feet, spreading his gospel wherever we go.