Mashed Potatoes, Jesus, Olive Oil

John 7:37,38 On that day Jesus stood up and said loudly, “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say. Jesus was talking about the Spirit.

Another Sunday, another trip to church – same people, same songs, same preacher … same old, same old ritual. Boring … that’s how “being a Christian” feels for many a Christian … religion … boring.

I have to confess I love cooking and I love good food. So all those cooking shows on the television and the recipe sites on the internet are just a complete delight for me.

And I really like surprising combinations. We’ve all had mashed potatoes. Boring, right? But the other night, I learned a new way of making this most humble of dishes.

Instead of butter and milk and mashing the living daylights out of the potatoes, you use extra virgin olive oil and just crush them with a fork. And then – here’s the piece de resistance – you roughly chop some watercress and mix it through. Unbelievable. Try it – mashed potatoes will never be the same again.

Isn’t it funny how we can take just a few simple ingredients and mix them together in a new way with stunning results?

Religion to me, honestly, is a bit like boiled potatoes… boring.

But then, when you take Jesus and allow Him to flow through your life like that olive oil, the results are simply stunning. Life will never be the same again.

John 7:37-39 On that day Jesus stood up and said loudly, “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.” Jesus was talking about the Spirit.

Throughout scripture, olive oil is used as a symbol of God’s Spirit. It’s this idea of life and blessing mixed in together. So honestly, if your religion is getting a bit boring (as it does), give Jesus a try.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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